Imagine for a moment a world where Zack Snyder's gritty cinematic vision meets martial arts mastery and the story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a Last Ronin film. It’s a match made in cinematic heaven, isn’t it? You do not agree ? Read more.
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Zack Snyder loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
While recently promoting his Netflix film Rebel Moon-Part One: A Child of Fire, Zack Snyder was interviewed by the Hollywood Reporter. Among other questions, the director was asked what was the first comic book he read. Snyder said his mother gave him, without his knowledge, a subscription to Heavy Metal, a comic book published for adults. The director also revealed that he was a fan of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics, created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Snyder even had original comics from the first editions of the famous series, which he flipped through during the interview.
The Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Story of the Last Ronin
Two struggling comic book artists, Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, designed the Ninja Turtles in 1984 and published the original comic book by Mirage Comics. The authors had great success with the property and spearheaded the franchise which expanded into television, film, comic books, and toy lines.
TMNT: The Last Ronin focuses on a story in an alternate timeline using a five-issue miniseries written by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, and Tom Waltz, with art by Eastman and brothers Esau Escorza and Isaac Escorza. Published by IDW Publishing in 2020-21, it is a dark and emotional story set in a dystopian future New York, where the last surviving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle seeks revenge for the deaths of his brothers and Splinter.
TMNT: The Last Ronin recalls the darker, more mature tone of the early TMNT comics, with themes of loss, heartbreak, and revenge. It's a stark contrast to the gentler, friendlier versions of turtles that have become popular in recent years. The Last Ronin was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its emotional storytelling, stunning artwork, and intriguing portrayal of the TMNT characters.
The comic series has such an exciting storyline and incredible artwork that it would be a perfect vehicle for telling a dramatic, action-packed story. Zack Snyder would be an excellent choice to direct. The filmmaker's appreciation for the original comics and his faithful approach to comic book adaptation would make him one of the best choices for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.
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Zack Snyder loves comic books
Snyder's love of comic books is the basis of his films such as 300, Watchmen and Man of Steel. The filmmaker's style and choice of films are responsible for the influence of the medium on his work. While filming Watchmen, Zach was interviewed by Entertainment Weekly and talked about his love of comic books and how they are a part of his creative process. Snyder spoke about his affinity for comic books saying,
Snyder also said, “My mom saw that I liked this comic called Heavy Metal magazine, so she got me a subscription. You could say it's high-level comics, but for me , this comic was just sexy! A friend of mine tried to get me to like “normal” comics, but I was like, “No one has sex or kills each other. That's not really what I'm looking for.” I was a little broken like that. So when Watchmen came along, I was like, ‘That's not my thing anymore.'
Zack Snyder's loyalty to the comics
Zack Snyder has always been vocal about his love for Alan Moore's Watchmen comic book, and the director gave a relatively faithful version of the legendary comic in his 2009 film. Often, filmmakers and movie studios butcher the comic book adaptations in favor of a sanitized version of the comic and, in most cases, with mediocre or mixed results at the box office and with critics. Snyder received mixed reviews for Watchmen, but many die-hard comic book fans loved the film because it was so close to the comics. This faithfulness to the story or imagery of the comics has earned Snyder a large number of fans.
Snyder's films often evoke the static images of comic books, with characters dramatically framed in shots, using dramatic angles and dynamic action poses. Think of the exaggerated slow-motion sequences of 300's Spartans facing the Persians or Superman's triumphant landing in Man of Steel. Some of his films closely reference iconic comic books, recreating their works with striking images. For example, the warehouse fight in Batman V Superman is reminiscent of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.
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Zack Snyder's Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin
Zack's respect for the comics will be welcome if he ever directs a TMNT: The Last Ronin movie. From his early days creating visually stunning commercials to his foray into comic book cinema with 300 and Watchmen, Snyder has established himself as a master of spectacle.
Slow motion sequences, moving film scores, and stylized action choreography are hallmarks of his work, evident in films such as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. These elements would translate well into The Last Ronin and amplify its main themes of loss, resilience, and brotherhood.
Aside from spectacle, Snyder also excels at presenting flawed and tormented heroes. Whether it's Rorschach grappling with moral ambiguity in Watchmen or Superman grappling with his Kryptonian heritage, Snyder imbues his characters with a gravitas that resonates with viewers.
The last surviving turtle in The Last Ronin carries an unimaginable burden. Snyder's understanding of complex emotions and internal struggles would give our Ninja Turtle comic book depth and emotion.
The Last Ronin is a dark and disturbing story. Snyder's vision of a dystopian New York, marked by Shredder's reign, would be fascinating. Snyder's passion for dark, futuristic landscapes, demonstrated in films like Sucker Punch and Justice League, could paint a dark but intriguing backdrop for our hero's desperate quest. Imagine Snyder's trademark slow motion as our Turtle traverses this desolate cityscape, the silence broken only by the sound of his nunchucks against the armor of Cyborg and the Foot Clan.
Additionally, Snyder's background in visual effects provides him with an in-depth understanding of CGI and motion capture technologies. This expertise was essential to bringing the Turtles and other mutant characters to life with the realism and nuance that The Last Ronin demanded.
We've seen glimpses of his talent in films like Dawn of the Dead and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, where CGI creatures move with fluid grace and emotional depth. In the hands of a less gifted director, The Turtles could have fallen into the uncanny valley, but Snyder's vision delivers a perfect blend of physicality and expressiveness.
Of course, some would argue that Snyder's penchant for telling stories in slow motion and in shadows might conflict with the inherent lightness of The Turtles.
However, The Last Ronin is not a typical TMNT story. It's a mature story of loss and revenge, and Snyder's stylistic elements will help heighten its emotional impact while retaining the Turtles' core values.
Imagine a scene in which Raphael, Donatello or Leonardo, driven by grief and rage, tear apart Foot Clan soldiers in a ballet of slow-motion violence, their eyes filled with determination and sadness. This combination of action and emotion is Snyder's strong point, and it could give The Last Ronin the cinematic power it deserves.
This wouldn't be your typical “Cowabunga!” turtle adventure. The turtle's adventure. It would be a dark and emotional journey worthy of an adult audience. With his experience and vision, Snyder could deliver a film that honors the spirit of the original comic while pushing the boundaries of what a TMNT adaptation can be.
Considering Zack Snyder directing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin might seem radical. However, powerful synergies lie beneath the surface. His unique style, deep characterization, and understanding of a dark world are a perfect fit for the emotional depth and dystopian setting of the comic. There may be reservations, but one thing is certain: Snyder's Last Ronin would not be a TMNT film like the others. It would be a cinematic experience that could change the perception of these heroes from being silly turtles to being real, well-rounded movie characters like they are in the comics.
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TL;DR
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is one of the best comics featuring the Turtles.
- Zack Snyder has had an exciting career adapting comic books like 300, Watchmen, and Man of Steel.
- Zack Snyder's style is perfectly suited to the dark and gritty story of TMNT: The Last Ronin.