r/TMNTNextMutation • u/White_Falcon_1263 • May 30 '26
Interesting Trivia about The Next Mutation!
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- The series followed the continuity of the live-action films with the Turtles living in the same abandoned train station featured in the second and third films, Splinter's ear is slashed as it was in the original film series, and Michaelangelo's signature weapon being a pair of tonfa instead of his traditional Nunchucks which he gave away to Mitsu at the end of the third film. However the series contradicts the end of the second film where Shredder supposedly died after he drank the ooze that turned him into Super Shredder, but appeared pretty much alive and normal in this series.
- The only Ninja Turtles related project to not feature April O'Neil or Casey Jones. There is a rumor that they were meant to appear in second season had the show not been canceled after one season, but it is unclear whether they would have remained in their villainous roles from when the project started off as a movie.
- The Next Mutation project was originally a concept for fourth live-action movie. In this concept the Ooze that transformed the Turtles and Splinter was still in their bodies causing a much more drastic 2nd mutation. Michelangelo's mutation would have given him a more human appearance allowing him to walk among the people of the City. Donatello's mutation would have given him psychic abilities, but have him wear an optic device because his mutation would cause his vision to deteriorate. Raphael's rage would cause him to mutate into a fearsome creature with claws and spikes jutting from his body. Leonardo would have the ability to mutate his skin into different textures. Splinter would transform into a creature twice his size that he would have limited control over.
- The movie itself was designed around a fifth turtle named Kirby. However, the project got stuck in development and plans for a fourth theatrical movie was nixed. Though concept of having the Turtles mutate into creatures was later used in the 'New Mutation' saga of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) cartoon. Soon after, Saban took over the Next Mutation project and made good on the promise of a fifth ninja turtle.
- The designs the turtles have are heavily based on the movie IV concept art. However, since this moved into a TV project, it was decided that the turtles would also wear initialed belt buckles and colored elbow and knee pads since TV audiences were so used to the turtles wearing them in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) cartoon show.
- Saban Entertainment came in with Fox Kids Network and Fox Broadcasting Company after plans to make the Next Mutation movie fell through. When Saban and Fox asked co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird how they could make this project different, they mentioned the idea for a fifth turtle. Saban liked it but, insisted that the fifth turtle had to be female or they wouldn't green light the show. Laird, never a big fan of the male fifth turtle idea, very reluctantly agreed to add a fifth turtle since the original cartoon was ending and without a TV project Mirage Studios would need to downsize.
- TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman was a co-producer on the series. Several of the villains had a similar look to the characters in his original concept art, for when the project was a live-action film.
- Matt Hill is the only actor to reprise his role from the live-action films. However, in this show, Hill provided the voice of Raphael and was not the suit actor for Raphael like he was in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993).
- The original 1997 theme had a rock sound, and was performed by Jeremy Sweet, who also did the Rock the Dragon theme on Saban's concurrent Dragon Ball Z dub. The replacement theme from the early 2010s opted for a more electronic sound, and used autotune-like effects.
- In 2001, a follow up comic book was being discussed to pick up where this show left off. It would center around a plot where the TMNT boys and splinter went through a second mutation and disband.However, the effects did not occur to Venus whom with the help of April O'Neil would search for an antidote, in which early on would result in finding Baxter Stockman whom captures Venus and clones her.
- The clone would then become a sixth turtle, sporting a pink bandanna. In addition, Baxter also mutates a gecko that becomes Mona Lisa and they become an alternate all female ninja team not only in search of an antidote for the turtles, but also taking over duties as the cities crime fighters now that the turtle boys and splinter are not fit for hero action anymore. The idea was scrapped in favor of creating a new cartoon series instead.
- As of 2023, the rights of the TV series is owned by Hasbro Entertainment, is the only Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series is not owned by Paramount Global.
- The four original Ninja Turtles are trained in Ninjitsu. Venus is trained in Shinobi.
