Michael Bay Denies 'Ninja Turtles' Leaked Script Written by His Camp

After being continuously criticized, Michael Bay finally broke silence over the leaked script issue of his "Ninja Turtles" reboot project. Taking to his Shoot for the Edit account, the "Transformers" director insisted that the said screenplay was already dumped "a long time ago" and it was written even before he signed on to the gig.

"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," so the 47-year-old director claimed. "The script saw the shredder a long time ago. This is tired, old news -- Wait for the movie!"

Despite what Bay said, Latino Review noticed that the much-talked-about leaked script actually had a January 30, 2012 date, which "would seem like almost 2 years after Bay and Platinum Dunes were attached to the project in late May 2010."

The "Ninja Turtles" screenplay has been widely criticized by a lot of rabid "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" fanboys. The original co-creator for "TMNT", Peter Laird, even called it "so fundamentally flawed" and should be "tossed out" and "deliberately forgotten" because it's "so NOT a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie."

It has been rumored that the script issue was the main reason why Paramount Pictures decided to push back the movie from December 2013 to May 16, 2014. Johnathan Liebesman is set to direct the project with Kevin Eastman, Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec all hired to pen the script.

Original Creator Calls 'Ninja Turtles' Reboot Script 'So Fundamentally Flawed'

Michael Bay-produced "Ninja Turtles" remake has once again grabbed the attention following the leak of its script a few days ago. A host of rabid "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" fans soon poured negative comments and reviews on the leaked screenplay. Among those who dissed the concept of the reboot film was none other than the original "TMNT" co-creator Peter Laird.

Taking to his personal blog to chat with a fan, Laird wrote, "I think the script I read is so fundamentally flawed, and -more to the point- so NOT a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, that trying to make piecemeal changes to it in an effort to make it into something halfway decent is probably a fool's errand."

"In my opinion, the thing should just be tossed out, deliberately forgotten, and the process of generating a new script really a new outline, then treatment, then script - should be started again," he continued dissing. "I have no insider knowledge of what's going on with the movie, but from the bits and pieces that have slipped out, it seems like that may be exactly what is happening."

"While we're on the subject of this script... I have to say that while reading it, and especially reading the last twenty pages or so, I couldn't help but think of the brouhaha which erupted a few months back when Michael Bay was heard to say that in the upcoming movie, the Turtles would be revealed to be 'from an alien race'."

"And following that, all the mental gymnastics indulged in by people who wanted to parse his words and make it seem like 'No, he didn't REALLY say they were going to be ALIENS!'... and then this script makes it way out onto the Internet, and if it is legitimate, it's painfully clear that YES, the Turtles WERE, in fact, going to be ALIENS."

Laird, who co-created the popular comics with Kevin Eastman, felt relieved when it was reported that Paramount Pictures decided to scrap the said script and gave time for the scribes to alter it. It was rumored that the case was probably one of the reasons why "Ninja Turtles" was pushed back from December 2013 to May 16, 2014.

"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," Laird wrote. "It could definitely be taken as a good sign if that is the case." The leaked script itself has since been removed by Paramount.

Bay's "Ninja Turtles" has been sparking frenzy since he revealed his plan to put some twists to the original plot line. The live action/CGI combo movie, which is predicted to cost an estimated $100 million to produce, has tapped "Wrath of the Titans" helmer Johnathan Liebesman to tackle the directing duty.

'Ninja Turtles' Reboot Gets Delayed Due to Script Issue

                                                

Michael Bay-produced "Ninja Turtles" is facing a trouble. Paramount Pictures has decided to delay the production of the effects-heavy film project, which was originally set to be released in the U.S. in December 2013. The movie, which was in pre-production stage in Vancouver, has now been pushed back to May 2014.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the abrupt decision was made due to the script issue. Insiders said that Paramount is now temporarily laying off the film's crew and telling them that the work stoppage is "indefinite." Another source revealed that the project has been pushed by ten weeks.

"Ninja Turtles" is a joint production between Paramount and Viacom's Nickelodeon. Back in May, when announcing the project, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman gushed, "Our pipeline is extremely strong. We're developing more new [episodes] of our popular series and more exciting series. And of course, we're particularly excited about the revival of the [Teenage Mutant Ninja] Turtles franchise."

While Bay served as the producer, "Wrath of the Titans" helmer Johnathan Liebesman was tapped to direct the live action/CGI combo movie which was predicted to cost an estimated $100 million to produce. Providing the script, meanwhile, were Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec.

The project had grabbed attention from fans, especially since Bay revealed his plan to put some twists to the original plot line. Instead of presenting Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael as mutants, the "Transformers" helmer said that the quartet will appear as aliens in the planned film.

"These turtles are from an alien race and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable," so he said while attending the 2012 Nickelodeon Upfront in March. "When you see this movie, kids are going to believe, one day, that these turtles actually do exist when we are done with this movie."

As for Paramount, this is not the first time the studio halts the production of its potential tentpoles. The studio, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, has delayed the release dates for Channing Tatum's "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" and Brad Pitt's "World War Z" due to script issue.

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