Nickelodeon’s Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is shaking things up by introducing a different design for the characters, which includes a black April O’Neil voiced by Kat Graham.
There seems to be some ambiguity about O’Neil’s origins in the comics, with both creators Eastman and Laird disagreeing about her heritage. While Eastman mentions that she was modelled after his African American girlfriend at the time (who later became his wife), Laird says he has always viewed the character as white. Regardless, her portrayal here is certainly a departure from the depictions in animated and live-action features over the years.
That, however, isn’t the only change Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles offers. There has also been a reshuffling amongst the TMNT, with Raphael now as the leader and oldest brother. Also, if you look carefully, you’ll notice that each turtle is now represented by a different species and a very distinctive look. Josh Brener voices Donatello, a soft-shell turtle. Omar Miller voices Raphael, a snapping turtle. Brandon Mychal Smith is Michelangelo, a box turtle. Ben Schwartz stars as Leonardo, a red-eared slider.
Andy Suriano (Samurai Jack character designer) and Ant Ward are producing the first season, with Eric Bauza voicing Splinter and John Cena voicing the villain, Baron Draxum.
The 26-episode Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is scheduled to debut later this year.
So stupid. My son and nephews who WERE huge TMNT fans want nothing to do with the new changes and ugly turtles. Leo was always the leader ….and how are you going to change April? Why not add some different diversities to other parts of the show. I HATE whoever came up with the bullshit. They lost a lot of turtles fans. And made a bunch of little kids upset. And wtf is up with splinter?
Wtf
Vote for Obama?
Leonardo will always be the TMNT leader. End of.
I get that they can’t keep recycling the same art and stories again and again and again, but did they have to make all the characters look like they fell out of the ugly tree and slammed face-first into every branch on the way down?
I am a big TMNzt fan so will watch regardless. Its that Cartoon Network Teen Titan feel so I hope the episodes actually follow the story and its not a random adventure each episode
Original series was shit. Nickelodeon did a cgi TNMT in 2012, and it was awesome. Anything is better than original.
Retooling an IP for a new generation. Eh. Meh. It is what it is.
Sh** looks horrible fam.
They must have been extremely drunk and high as kites on some strong dagga to think THIS was a good idea