“I like turtles.” Perhaps the most iconic phrase in modern history was uttered by ten-year-old Jonathan Ware at the 2007 Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon. With his zombie face paint freshly applied, Jonathan aka Zombie Kid was approached by KGW local news correspondent Nancy Francis. After being asked to comment on his face paint, Jonathan’s response gave birth to one of the biggest viral videos. Sixteen years later, Paramount Pictures tracked Zombie Kid down to ask him his opinion on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. I think you already know what he’ll say.
When asked if this is the actual Zombie Kid, the official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Instagram account responded, “Oh yeah, he’s back.” The early reactions to the film have been fairly positive and I’m digging the stylized animation. The studios seem pumped about the project as well as they have already announced that they are developing a sequel as well as an animated series for Paramount+, titled Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which will connect the two movies.
“After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts,” reads the official synopsis for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. “Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.“
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem features the voices of Nicolas Cantu as Leonardo, Brady Noon as Raphael, Micah Abbey as Donatello, and Shamon Brown Jr. as Michelangelo. The film also stars Jackie Chan as Master Splinter, Ayo Edebiri as April O’Neil, Seth Rogen as Bebop, John Cena as Rocksteady, Hannibal Buress as Genghis Frog, Rose Byrne as Leatherhead, Ice Cube as Superfly, Post Malone as Ray Fillett, Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko, Maya Rudolph as Cynthia Utrom, Natasia Demetrious as Wingnut, and Giancarlo Esposito as Baxter Stockman. Jeff Rowe directed the movie and also co-wrote the script alongside Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit.
With an official Zombie Kid recommendation on hand, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will hit theaters on August 2nd.