Zack Snyder has worked with several graphic novels and comic book properties in his storied career. Be it 300, Watchmen, or Superman, Snyder has made a career playing director to some of the grittiest comic books out there. Now, there seems to be another property that will serve his filmmaking style and can redeem him for mainstream comic fans.
While Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might have been excessively sanitized and child-friendly, the original comic book, written as a parody of superhero fiction, was a dark and gritty story that could fit Zack Snyder’s style of films splendidly.
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TMNT was originally a dark story, and recent stories have been going back to it
When TMNT first began publication with Mirage Comics, the story followed four turtles mutated via a secret mutagen, who were after the notorious villain Shredder. The comic was pretty well received, with its dark themes and gritty atmosphere, gaining somewhat of a cult following. However, as time passed, the property found success as a more PG-13 property aimed at teenagers. The recent live-action outings with Michael Bay were aimed at a teenage audience, but there is not an opportunity for Snyder to pick up the pieces for a live-action reboot.
One of the most celebrated storylines to come out of the Turtle-Verse was the alternate universal, post-apocalyptic story of The Last Ronin, where the Shredder systematically takes out all but one of the turtle brothers, who embarks on a roaring rampage of revenge against the iconic villain. Such a storyline would not only fit Snyder’s taste in films but fit very well with how he treated the DC Universe.
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Zack Snyder could do a lot with the franchise
While the property is in great hands with Seth Rogan (who has produced shows like Invincible and The Boys), Snyder, should he get a chance to work the property, can do a lot with it. A live-action version of the story might be the way to go for Snyder, given how the director has proven his worth with the Knightmare sequences in his DCEU, an animated offering from the director might be without peer.
While TMNT has tried darker animated outings with films like TMNT (2007), Snyder could not only improve upon the aesthetic but also break down the characters as he did in the DCEU, especially in a setting like The Last Ronin. Snyder could also construct an original story adjacent to what is already done in the comics, which is sure to be a delight for fans.
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