Back in June I reported the newest Ninja Turtles installment was being pushed back to 2014 on the rumor the script was unsatisfactory. Now, reports have confirmed the script was not only unsatisfactory, but that it actually was a piece of junk. No shocked face here. We all knew it was going to be a tall order to re-purpose the origins on the beloved green heroes — and with Michael Bay assuring us everything was going to be ok and his ‘crack’ team of writers were on top of it, most of us knew the script was going to be terrible. Well thankfully Paramount Pictures decided not to move forward with a script that everyone who read it hated. More details after the jump.

Screen Crush reports a devoted fan site (TMNT, NOT TANT) somehow got their hands on the Ninja Turtles script and posted it on their site. The script has since been taken down because Paramount issued the site a Cease and Desist letter, almost cementing the fact the script was the real deal. Why would they take the time or money to fret about a faux script? Simple answer, they wouldn’t. So the script leaked was the real thing. Here are some of the changes in the script the fan site pointed out.

• The turtles aren’t turtles at all—they’re aliens from Dimension X that look like turtles, but are really “the chosen ones of their race.”
• The Turtles are supporting characters in a film that is mostly about Casey Jones, who is “an 18 year old security guard for a furniture factory and amateur hockey player.”
• Jones is dating April O’Neil, who is moving to New York City.
• Jones is also the one that gives the Ninja Turtles their color-coded bandanas, so that he may more easily tell them apart.
• As for the villain Shredder, they changed the character to a guy named Colonel Schrader.

These changes are pretty alarming and prove that TMNT fanboys had reason to be upset once the idea of changing the turtles was thrown into the equation. And from what I read above, this movie would have sucked had it went through, just like I had thought.

Now, Michael Bay again is trying to put out the fire regarding the leaked script by saying this:

The leaked script for Ninja Turtles that different sites continue to comment on was written well before I, or anyone at Platinum Dunes, was involved with the project.

That script saw the shredder a long time ago.

This is tired, old news — Wait for the movie!

Once again Michael, your words are about as reassuring as a Kleenex bullet-proof vest. I think this once again proves the script was real. Why else would Bay feel the need to issue a statement on it? Partly because he is trying to save face, but mostly because he and Paramount are trying to hide the fact this flaming pile of dung was really their script. Trying. Also it was noted that the date on the script was reportedly January 2012 — Bay and his production company Platinum Dunes took over the project in 2010. So if the date is true, then it was written while Platinum Dunes was in charge.

Lastly, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise Peter Laird recently read the script. He had nothing nice to say about it.

Someone else alerted me to the existence of this script, and I just a few minutes ago finished reading it. If it is, in fact, the actual draft that was rejected and caused the production of the next TMNT movie to be pushed back to 2014 because the script was unsatisfactory, then I think all true TMNT fans should be grateful to the new “powers that be” that they did not allow this wretched thing to go any further. It could definitely be taken as a good sign if that is the case. It reminds me of one of the reasons I am glad to not own the property anymore… because I don’t have to tear what little hair I have left out while trying to fix junk like this.

His confirmation that he indeed read a terrible script, the release date being pushed back to 2014 because of a terrible script, and the Cease and Desist letter demanding a posted terrible Ninja Turtles script be removed pretty much 100% proves the script online was real. Now we all have to get on our knees and thank Paramount for not green-lighting production.

Sad thing is, with Bay and his team of screenwriters still making this film, even with touch ups or major re-writes, can we really assume anything will get better? I mean, they got us this far and brought a piece of junk to the table on their first try. Why would the second be any better if they are still standing on the principle that making changes to the turtles origins is a good thing, a necessary thing? I still believe the best option is to give control to someone more capable of developing a strong script because Bay and his team are clearly not up to the job.

What Do You Think About This News?

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