Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman has offered some hope to fans. Late last year, it was revealed that Paramount had canceled the live-action TMNT: The Last Ronin movie. This was going to be an R-rated adaptation of the beloved 2020 comic book of the same name. Now though, Eastman has indicated that it may not be canceled after all. Rather, it may just be delayed.
Eastman recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly in honor of the announcement of The Last Ronin – Training Day, a new prequel taking place in the universe. During the conversation, Eastman touched on the status of the Last Ronin movie. “I don’t think the movie’s off the table. I think it’s just delayed,” he said. Speaking further, he explained that the studio is very supportive of the franchise.
“Speaking with all the folks at Viacom and Paramount and Nickelodeon who love the Turtles and really have done a fantastic job, whether it be the 2012 series to Mutant Mayhem, I don’t think it will not happen. I think it will happen. One of the things that anybody I’ve talked to at the companies, they know the fans love and support all things Last Ronin, as much as another group of fans love everything Point Grey [Pictures, production company], Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, everybody’s done with the whole Mutant Mayhem series. We’re not disheartened at all.”
The Last Ronin was announced by IDW in 2019. It takes place in a future version of New York City where all but one of the turtles has died. The series has become a best-seller and a favorite amongst fans. It’s helped bring even more attention to the long-running franchise. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – Lost Years was published in 2022. A proper sequel titled The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution followed in 2023.
An adaptation of some sort always felt inevitable. Paramount, however, is currently working on a different live-action TMNT movie. The idea is to make something more family-friendly. After that though? It sounds like the Last Ronin movie could be back on the table. Meanwhile, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Video game was announced in 2023. We’ve heard virtually nothing about it since. Maybe one day, fans will finally get to dive deeper into this world outside of the comics. Eastman certainly has hope.
The Last Ronin – Training Day hits shelves in July.
What do you think? Are you hopeful about the Last Ronin movie? Do you think it will see the light of day? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
