Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles OG Voice Cast Talk Inspirations (VIDEO)

Published in: Nickelodeon, Paramount+, TV | Tag: Paramount, Teeanage Mutant Ninja Turtles, tmnt

The cast of the original 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series reflects on its heritage and inspirations for the characters' voices.

If the creators of original comics Kevin Eastman And Pierre Laird did what they wanted, the original animated series adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would not have been the giant franchise it is today. Foregoing the original's darker tone, Fred Wolf Films' 1987 animated series contributed greatly to its success. The four main characters, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo, are named after the famous Renaissance painters because they depict turtles genetically modified after encountering a toxic mutagen in humanoid beings. Splinter, a rat also affected by the mutagen, trains the four as his students fight the forces of evil, including the Foot Clan, led by Shredder and Krang. The original series aired from 1987 to 1991 in syndication and on CBS from 1990 to 1996. Paramount, released a featurette with behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cast Reflects on OG 1987 Animated Series

The interviewees for the feature film were Townsend Coleman (Michelangelo), Rob Paulsen (Raphael), Cam Clarke (Leonard), Barry Gordon (Donatello), Renee Jacobs (April O'Neil), Pierre Renaday (Glow), Pat Fraley (Krang), and the late James Avery (Crusher). “My first encounter with the Turtles was a call from my agent,” Gordon recalls. “I mean, it was really nothing. It's no big deal,” Clarke said. “I mean, it was great to have a show.”

“My agent called me and said, 'You have an audition for a show called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,'” Jacobs said. “I said, 'What?'” “Stu [Rosen]THE [casting] director, came in and he said, you're not going to believe this,” Coleman added. “I'm going to direct this new show, and I want to have you in it, but look at this, he opens his bag and pulls out a copy of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, one of the original comics. “The success of TMNT spawned several animated television and film adaptations and a live-action theatrical trilogy. There are five animated series and seven films in the franchise. The next animated series for Paramount+ Tales from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2024. The most recent film was the animated film Mutant Chaos is released in 2023. To learn more about Gordon's inspiration behind Rocksteady, Avery's approach to Shredder, and more, you can watch the video.

Stay informed and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!