In a move that’s sure to be of significance to toy fans, Nickelodeon has acquired the rights to TMNT, including plans for a new 3D animated show and a live-action movie (via ToonZone, with thanks to Saturday Morning Central for the link).
Press release after the jump.
NICKELODEON ACQUIRES GLOBAL RIGHTS TO TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
NickelodeontoDevelop New CG-Animated Television Seriesand Paramount Pictures
to Develop Feature Film of Renowned Global Property
NEW YORK—Oct. 21, 2009—Furthering its mission to provide premium content to its audiences, Nickelodeon—part of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B)—has acquired the global rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from The Mirage Group and 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE). The acquisition provides Nickelodeon, the world’s number-one entertainment brand for kids, global intellectual property rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the hit television, film and video game property that has delighted kids around the world for the last 25 years. The aggregate purchase price for the transactions is approximately $60 million.
Nickelodeon also announced plans to develop a new CG-animated television series based on the popular superhero franchise, anticipated to premiere in 2012. Additionally, in partnership with Viacom’s Paramount Pictures, a new release of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature film is also planned for 2012. Nickelodeon has also acquired all merchandising rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and will continue to work with its original and long-standing toy partner, Playmates Toys, which has been the creative force behind the successful TMNT master toy program over the last two decades.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shares a comedic sensibility with the Nickelodeon DNA, with added layers of action and fantasy that have kept this property an evergreen favorite with multiple generations of audiences,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. “We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to be able to focus on this property and creatively re-introduce it to a new generation of kids.”
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a property that maintains a very passionate global fan base, is rich with opportunity for a tentpole movie, and is exactly the right property for us to work together with Nickelodeon,” said Adam Goodman, President, Paramount Pictures.
“Mirage has been the proud keeper of the Turtles’ brand since 1984, and in 2009 we celebrated their 25th anniversary with our legions of fans,” said Gary Richardson, CEO, Mirage Studios. “Nickelodeon is a powerhouse global brand, and we are confident that the company will be a wonderful steward for Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello and all the other TMNT characters and take them in all kinds of exciting and new creative directions.”
“We enjoyed our eight-year partnership with Mirage during which 4Kids and Mirage re-launched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise for a new generation of kids around the world,” said Alfred Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. “We will also work with Mirage and Viacom so that our Turtles’ licensees can be assured of a seamless transition.”
Considered one of the most popular kids’ television programs of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic, global property created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It first debuted as a successful comic book series and then became a hit animated TV show, a live-action television series, and later spawned four blockbuster theatrical releases. The property also has translated into a significant consumer products business—with DVDs, video games, toys and more–that has generated billions of dollars at retail.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is based on four mutant turtles–trained in the art of Ninjitsu–who battle evil from the New York sewers. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated television series–jointly produced by 4Kids Entertainment and Mirage Studios—will continue to air on “TheCW4Kids” Saturday morning programming block on The CW network through Aug. 31, 2010.
So, do they OWN TMNT, or just have temporary rights?
Sounds like they bought the concept outright. On the one hand, that seems a little crazy if you're Mirage, but on the other hand, 60 MILLION DOLLARS.
This was somewhat interesting news until I got to the part about how Nickelodeon "will continue to work with its original and long-standing toy partner, Playmates Toys." Sigh. Poor NECA. Poor us.
I can't wait to see what they cook up!
Thanks for the link!
Nice. I thought the earlier relaunch with the last animated series by Playmates actually had some decent figures to begin with. Definitely a brand that refuses to die.
I've always thought the Playmates TMNT figures were good. Its just everything else they can't seem to handle right…
Ugh. I can't believe Laird sold it.
I understand that selling TMNT to Nick? Not cool. Hopefully they can do some good with it and hopefully Laird retains some sort of control, but it sounds like he completely sold the property which is a total surprise move.
Especially given that so much good TMNT stuff has been announced in the next year or so.
From Laird's blog: It's not a rumor — they now own the TMNT. — PL
Wow, just wow.
I hope it gets animated by the people who made The last Airbender.
Poe, you cut off an important part of the press release.
Mirage is done.
Laird sold us out. Part of me is pissed, part of me is glad it's out from under his control.
But to give up the rights? I can't even fathom that. I was flabbergasted when Eastman sold off his half but this?
$60 million is a lot of money, and no one lives forever — I don't blame Laird for cashing out. Anyway, when was the last time Mirage did anything interesting with the property?
Hopefully some great new figures will be coming out.
I liked NECA's figures, but man have they taken sme time to release other characters….they really should be making more TMNT figures, 2008 the four turtles, Mousers, April and 4 turtle repaints.
Same with there Street Fighter figures.
Hopefully Playmates can now release a load more cool figures.
@MechaShiva: That would be awesome! I'd love to see a TMNT produced by the folks who made The Last Airbender!
@jestergoblin
sold you out? are you a ninja turtle?
cuz otherwise he doesn't owe you or anyone else jack.
does anyone know if nick does live action movies?
Oh ferchrissakes.
I just want the NECA Shredder and Foot, and it seems like every few months something else gets in the way!
BBTS still lists the set as a pre-order available 4th Q 2009, so I imagine the product is in the manufacturing pipe right now. You guys who know more about the toy industry could tell me if that means the line is doomed or if it will be released. I would hope that Nick's purchase would also include active licensing contracts, so is there hope?
@edc, for the last decade, Peter has been saying how it isn't about the money and that he was doing it for the fans. The comic book series has been losing money for him yet he continues to do it.
Also, everything related to TMNT he's personally signed off on. I don't see how he would give up this much control. Every comic, 2k3 cartoon… he plotted those stories and allowed them to happen.
Anyone who thinks Laird "sold them out" should read Laird's recent blog post which was basically a response to my question from his Q&A. He wasn't actively seeking to sell the TMNT, but he knew eventually he'd have to. He's lost a lot of his passion for the TMNT but he knew he couldn't turn it over to just anyone. Nick just happened to be interested and they talked things over and it came to be.
He seems to think Nick will do some great things with the property (which does seem possible) and he's been doing TMNT for 25 years, nearly half his life. He wants to be able to do something else, but as long as he has control of the TMNT, he can't.
So in order for his life to go on and the TMNT to go on, they had to part ways.
Made a lot of sense.
Im just glad we'll be seeing more of the Turtles
honestly i am AMAZED it only went for 60 mil.
when nick makes a TMNT movie they will make that back on merchandising alone.
i bet if it was 94 TMNT would have sold for ALOT more lol oh how the times have a changed.
i look at this as a a positive change considering mirage totally blew the 25th anniversary
Yeah, $60 mil doesn't sound like an awful lot. Thats only $15 mil for each Turtle! Maybe they would have gone for a lot more 5 or 15 years ago. Hopefully Nick has some big plans for them!
okay, 60 millions is a good retirement for Mirage Studios! but in all it´s not that much
.
i would hate to see Turtles in airbender style
i would love to see it animated by the dudes from SUPERJAIL! i just loved all the gore-y exaggerated mutant style back when they started – it had a strong influence on me – everywhere on the toys were details over detals casted in plastic and vibrant colors! damn! and now
boringness! i wish for the future it may get well again!
Jim Lawson said that part of the agreement lets Mirage publish up to 18 TMNT comics a year still. So there's still some hope for Volume 4 finishing. Maybe.
Gi Joe resolute was great drawn by Airbender vets aside from bullet defying Scarlett and Duke parts.The only thing missing with the 2K turtles was the self awareness goofines of the 80's version.