🔴TMNT 2's Release Plan Means The Sequel Can Avoid A Major Animation Problem🔴
0TMNT 2's Release Plan Means The Sequel Can Avoid A Major Animation Problem
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was both critically and commercially successful, but a report revealed that not everything was sunshine and rainbows for the film behind the scenes. According to the report (via Vulture), 100 artists quit working on the animated film during its development due to terrible working conditions. Despite working on the film for over a year, many of these artists did not even get credit for their work because many elements in the film were scrapped at the last moment.
Reports also suggest that artists had to work close to 11 hours per day, seven days a week. While Sony Pictures Imageworks' executive vice president and general manager, Michelle Grady, claimed that not every artist working on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse shared the same opinion, this was not the first time VFX artists had complained about poor working conditions. Another artist had previously opened up (via Vulture) about how Marvel movies are significantly changed one to two months before their release, leaving VFX artists with immense pressure to keep up with nearing deadlines.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2's release plan allows it to avoid an animation problem that has plagued the industry in recent years. Serving as the reboot of the Ninja Turtles movies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem earned the title of being one of the best Ninja Turtle movies to date, and rightfully so. Its critical ratings and box office numbers reflected the same, convincing Paramount Pictures that it deserves more installments. As a result, its follow-up television series, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a sequel movie were announced.
While the television show is set to release sometime in 2024 on Paramount +, the film's release plan suggests that it will not come out anytime soon. Audiences eagerly waiting for the first film's sequel may be disappointed by this news. However, it is a blessing in disguise for more reasons than one.
Following its release on 2nd August 2023, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem received unanimously optimistic reviews from viewers and critics, with most complimenting its creative animation style. Even from a commercial standpoint, the animated film performed well, with a worldwide box office collection of $180.5 million against a budget of $70 million. The people behind the film could have capitalized on its success by churning out another sequel within two years after its premiere. Fortunately, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 is set to release on 9th October 2026.
The sequel's 2026 release allows it to avoid the mistakes made while developing films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It gives animators ample time to work without feeling burdened by unrealistic deadlines and last-minute changes. While this still does not guarantee healthy working conditions for the artists involved with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, it provides a more conducive environment where artists will be able to focus on their craft with less stress. The writers behind the project will also be able to make timely alterations to the script without putting too much pressure on other creative teams.