Paramount Pictures Shuts Down Production Of Nickelodeon Movie's Upcoming Brand New Movie "Ninja Turtles" 'Indefinitely'

Breaking Nickelodeon Movies/"Ninja Turtles" News - According to this Nickelodeon Movies news article from The Hollywood Reporter about Paramount Pictures' and Nickelodeon Movies' upcoming Nickelodeon Movie titled "Ninja Turtles", which is based on the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise, Paramount Pictures has shut down production of Nickelodeon Movies' and Paramount Pictures' upcoming "Ninja Turtles" movie, and that Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies have now postponed the release date for the theatrical release for their "Ninja Turtles" movie from December 2013 to May 2014:

Paramount Shuts Down 'Ninja Turtles' Reboot; Release Date Pushed (Exclusive)


UPDATED: The film was set for a December 2013 release. A source close the production says the movie will come out in May 2014

Paramount Pictures has shut down a planned reboot of the Ninja Turtles franchise, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. The effects-heavy film, which was in preproduction in Vancouver, was set for release in December 2013. That date is being pushed to May 2014, according to sources.

The issue is said to be the script. Paramount has delayed several big movies from this year to 2013, including G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Brad Pitt's World War Z, leaving it with a spotty pipeline for the current year. Now it has halted work on its planned holiday movie for 2013, temporarily laying off preproduction staff and informing those prepping the film that the work stoppage is "indefinite," according to sources. Another source close to the production says the movie has been pushed by ten weeks.

A Paramount rep would not immediately comment.

Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes is producing and Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans) is set to direct from a script by Kevin Eastman and Andre Nemec. Other key players include Bourne franchise line producer Denis Stewart and effects man Dan Bradley (Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol).

The move comes as analysts have been knocking Viacom's Nickelodeon division for lower ratings. The Ninja Turtles project, a joint Paramount-Nickelodeon production, was eyed as a chance to bolster Nickelodeon as well as reboot a family film franchise. The studio had paid media mogul Haim Saban a hefty sum for rights to the property, which had been the basis for three hit movies for New Line Cinema in the 1990s.

In May, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman touted the Ninja Turtles reboot in a call with investors. "Our pipeline is extremely strong," he said. "We're developing more new [episodes] of our popular series and more exciting new series. And of course, we're particularly excited about the revival of the [Teenage Mutant Ninja] Turtles franchise."

Also, from IGN UK:

Ninja Turtles Shut Down

Pre-production halted and release date pushed to 2014.

Paramount has shut down pre-production on their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot, while also pushing the release date from December 2013 to May 2014.

The Hollywood Reporter's sources say the film has script problems. The project -- which is simply called Ninja Turtles and has caused much ire among fanboys for changing the nature of said turtles and making them aliens -- is being produced by Michael Bay and his Platinum Dunes outfit. Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans) is directing a script by Kevin Eastman and Andre Nemec. (Eastman also happens to be one of the original creators of the characters.)

"[The studio is] temporarily laying off pre-production staff and informing those prepping the film that the work stoppage is 'indefinite,'" say sources, who are expecting a 10-week delay.

The announcement follows on the heels of two other Paramount delays: G.I. Joe: Retribution and Brad Pitt’s World War Z.

Also, from Guardian News and Media:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film retreats back into its shell

Production on franchise reboot by Michael Bay may be shelved after fan uproar

Hard shell … Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot put on hold. Photograph: SNAP/Rex Features
It should have been Hollywood's new cash cow, the latest iteration of a franchise that has produced films, TV series and comic books. However, the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film has been shelved – perhaps indefinitely, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The move follows a fan backlash earlier this year against plans to change the origins story of its four "heroes in a halfshell".

Official word suggests that the film which is being developed by Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes company, has been shut down owing to issues with the script. Originally due for December 2013, Jonathan Liebesman's film has now been pushed back to May 2014, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Preproduction staff, however, were told the film had been shelved for an "indefinite" period.

Fans took to Twitter and Facebook earlier this year to criticise plans to change the turtles to "lovable aliens" rather than mutants who gain anthropomorphic powers after encountering radioactive ooze, as in the original comic book, TV series and films. Bay himself became so annoyed he issued a statement calling for fans to "take a breath, and chill".

Bay said: "They have not read the script. Our team is working closely with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles to help expand and give a more complex back story. Relax, we are including everything that made you become fans in the first place. We are just building a richer world."

Ninja Turtles had also drawn criticism from actor Robbie Rist, who voiced Michelangelo in the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. [click here to read the rest of the article on the official The Guardian website, guardian.co.uk. Warning - The full article contains language which may offend.]

Video Preview Of Nickelodeon's Brand New Stop-Motion Animated "SpongeBob SquarePants" Christmas Special "It's A SpongeBob Christmas", Guest Starring John Goodman As Santa Claus

From the Huffington Post:

'SpongeBob Squarepants' Christmas Special: Stop-Motion 'It's A SpongeBob Christmas' With John Goodman (VIDEO)

"It's A SpongeBob Christmas" special exclusive
SpongeBob Squarepants is already getting into the holiday spirit.

The Nickelodeon cartoon will get its first full-length stop-motion Christmas special, which will air later this year, and HuffPost TV has the exclusive first look at the trailer.

"It's A SpongeBob Christmas!" will also have legendary TV star John Goodman in the guest starring role of Santa Claus. The special was inspired by the classic Rankin/Bass specials, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," as well as the popular 2009 "SpongeBob" song, "Don't Be a Jerk, It's Christmas" [plus the "Nickelodeon Holiday Party" NickMas short from "Christmas on Nickelodeon 2002"]

In the 30-minute episode, it's Christmas Eve "when all of Bikini Bottom is full of good will." But Plankton, in a very Grinch-like fashion, vows to get the Krabby Patty formula by turning everyone bad by feeding them his special jerktonium-laced fruitcake. Of course, only SpongeBob can save Christmas.

A premiere date has yet to be set for "It's A SpongeBob Christmas!" Take an exclusive look at the trailer below!

Below is a transcript of Nickelodeon USA's "It's A SpongeBob Christmas!" promo/trailer:

This holiday season...

[Patchy the Pirate (Tom Kenny) as a Mail van driver: Dashing through the snow, [mumbles]]

...celebrate the joy...

[Patchy the Pirate: Merry Christmas!]

...the spirit...

[SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny): Christmas Eve, when all of Bikini Bottom is filled with good will.]

[Sheldon J. Plankton (Doug Lawrence): Behold...]

...the Jerktonium!?

[Plankton: Once ingested, no-one can help becoming the biggest, creepiest,
meanest jerk ever!]

[...], out of control.

[Plankton: This just keeps getting better and better!]

Only one Sponge...

[SpongeBob: Merry Christmas, fellas!]

[Bikini Bottom citizen: Aw, go stuff a stocking!]

...has what it takes...

[Sandy Cheeks (Carolyn Lawrence): The combination of you're tiny brain and pure heart.]

...to save Christmas.

[SpongeBob: You want Santa? You gotta get through me!... ARRGH!...AYAHYAHYAHYAH]

[Santa Claus/Father Christmas (John Goodman): I'm outta here!]

This holiday...

[Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke): This is a trap for Santa!]

...celebrate with SpongeBob in a whole new way!

[Sandy: You took food from Plankton and fed it to everyone in town?

SpongeBob: Uh-huh!

Sandy: You're an idiot.

SpongeBob: Uh-Huh.]

It's a SpongeBob Christmas!

[2nd Bikini Bottom resident: It's like a present for my mouth!]

Coming this holiday season,

[SpongeBob: Great to see people so passonate about the holidays.]

...only on Nick!

Also, Tweeted (posted) by Nickelodeon USA their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonTV) and ReTweeted by Tina McCann, the Managing Director of Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on her official Twitter stream (@TinaMcCannMD):

This Christmas, @SpongeBob's getting the stop motion treatment! Here's your first look: http://at.nick.com/KFhyZq

Also, Tweeted by Broadcast reporter Alex Farber ‏and replied to by Nickelodeon UK and Eire's Managing Director, Tina McCann, on their official Twitter profile pages:

@alexfarber: i love the stopmotion sponge - 9/08am 15/6/2012

@TinaMcCannMD: yes, stopmotion sponge is fabulous - and I can't stop humming the song, Don't be a Jerk it's Christmas..it is maddeningly catchy - 9.54am 15/6/2012.

Also, from Broadway World:

John Goodman to Voice 'Santa' in Nickelodeon's SPONGEBOB CHRISTMAS

This holiday season, Nickelodeon will present it's first full-length stop-motion animated special, IT'S A SPONGEBOB CHRISTMAS! inspired by the classic Rankin/Bass (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town) specials, and the popular SpongeBob song released in 2009, "Don't Be a Jerk, It's Christmas," written by Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob) and Andy Paley.

In this new thirty-minute SpongeBob SquarePants special, Plankton vows to get his Christmas wish - the Krabby Patty formula - by turning everyone in Bikini Bottom bad by feeding them his special jerktonium-laced fruitcake. John Goodman guest stars as Santa Claus.

Goodman played the Ghost of Christmas Present in the 2008 Kodak Theatre production of A Christmas Carol, starring Christopher Lloyd as Ebenezer Scrooge. He appeared in the role of Pozzo in a Studio 54 revival of the play Waiting for Godot, opposite Bill Irwin and Nathan Lane. He is best known for his role as Dan Conner on the television series Roseanne (1988–1997) for which he won a Best Actor Golden Globe Award in 1993.

Also, from Kidscreen:

SpongeBob gets the stop-motion treatment

Nickelodeon is set to premiere its first full-length stop-motion animated special It's A SpongeBob Christmas! for this year's holiday season.

The special is inspired by classic Rankin/Bass Christmas specials such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and the hit SpongeBob song “Don’t Be a Jerk, It’s Christmas,” released in 2009 and written by Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob) and Andy Paley.

In the new half-hour special, which features John Goodman as Santa Claus, Plankton turns everyone in Bikini Bottom bad by feeding them his special jerktonium-laced fruitcake as he continues his quest for the secret Krabby Patty formula.

The trailer for the special can be viewed here [on Vimeo].

Tags: It's A SpongeBob Christmas!, John Goodman, Nickelodeon, stop-motion animation, Tom Kenny

Nickelodeon UK's "Camp Orange 2012" About To Go Into Production; Nickelodeon UK Presenter Anna Williamson To Road Test Camp Orange 2012's Challenges, Key Teamwork Decisions And Game Elements

From Digital Spy:

Anna Williamson's Showbiz Peek at the Week: 'Camp Orange and Big Bro' [Big Brother]

Digital Spy blogger readies her Nickelodeon show

© Rex Features / Richard Young
With a new series of Nickelodeon's number one show, the physically challenging Camp Orange, about to kick into production, and with yours truly on hosting duties along with my TV presenter buddy Jamie Rickers, some R&R has been essential this week. Thanks to Champneys, I've had just that.

Second home to the telly fraternity and Frank Bruno (come often enough and you're likely to see him swanning around in his bath robe sipping on a free detox tea), a few days at the Tring Heath spa has been just the ticket to gear myself up for a week of extreme challenges, rough terrain and the infamous Nickelodeon slime.

See before Camp Orange returns, the challenges, key teamwork decisions and the elements will all be road-tested by your humble Digital Spy columnist. I get away with nothing my friends, so in order to prepare for what lies ahead I've spent the past few days weight training, exercising, eating healthily and having the odd massage. Well, it'd be rude not to.

I'll have all the exclusive Camp Orange gossip for Digital Spy over the coming weeks, and the series will hit your screens this summer.

In between classes, countryside and...

You can read Anna Williamson's Showbiz Peek at the Week news article here on the official Digital Spy website, digitalspy.co.uk.

Nick Jr.'s "Peppa Pig" Wins Two International Licensing Excellence Awards At The 2012 Licensing Expo Held In Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

From The Hollywood Reporter:

'Angry Birds' Flies Away With Top Honors at Licensing Expo

The addictive game wins three of 17 prizes, while "Peppa Pig," which airs on Nick Jr., was the big winner in the Film, TV, Celebrity category, and Walgreens is Retailer of the Year for its merchandise related to the TV show "The Biggest Loser."

The wildly successful mobile game Angry Birds, which also has become a runaway hit in the world of branding and merchandising, flew away with three International Licensing Excellence Awards, presented during the just-wrapped 2012 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

Angry Birds, from Sweden's Rovio Entertainment, took the most honors of any product. It was awarded Overall Best Licensed Program of the Year and Best Character/Toy Brand Program of the Year. It also won as Best Character or Toy Brand Licensee of the Year in Hard Goods for Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., the U.S. company that has the license for plush stuffed animals and other products.

Introduced in 2009, Angry Birds is a strategy puzzle video game. More than 12 million copies have been sold, initially as an app for Apple's IOS and other systems. There are also other versions for touch screens and smartphones using the Android operating system and HP products.

In the category of Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment, the big winner was Peppa Pig, a British-made animated children's television show that airs in the U.K. and on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. in the U.S. The five-minute episodes revolve around a female pig, her family and friends.

Peppa Pig's wins for distributor Entertainment One included Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Program of the Year and an award for Redan Publishing for Peppa Pig/Fun to Learn and Bag-O-Fun magazines.

The award for Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee of the Year in the category of Soft Goods went to Jay Franco and Sons, for Star Wars/home collection.

Another notable winner of the night was the national retailer Walgreens, which won for the first time as Best Retailer of the Year for The Biggest Loser.

Presented by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association, the International Licensing Excellence Awards recognize the most successful licensed products each year.

“This year’s award recipients provide a telling look at what helped drive the sale of licensed properties during the past year,” said LIMA president Charles Riotto.

There were 17 winners from a list of 85 nominees, which included products such as Monster High from Mattel, brands such as Nike and Disney/Pixar's Cars 2 and big names like Justin Bieber.

The announcement of this year's winners came at the end of the 2012 Licensing Expo, a three-day event that brings retailers, manufacturers and brand owners together to present the latest trends and licensing deals for the upcoming year.
A full list of winners from this year's LIMA Awards is below.

ART OR DESIGN

Best Art or Design Program of the Year: The Victoria and Albert Museum (by The Victoria and Albert Museum/V&A Enterprises)

Best Art or Design Licensee of the Year: Navigate Ltd. (for Very Hungry Caterpillar/children's gardening products)

CHARACTER OR TOY BRAND

Best Character or Toy Brand Program of the Year: Angry Birds (by Rovio Entertainment Ltd.)

Best Character or Toy Brand Licensee of the Year – Hard Goods: Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co. (for Angry Birds toy & novelty products)

Best Character or Toy Brand Licensee of the Year – Soft Goods: SGFootwear (for Pillow Pets/slipper collection)

CORPORATE BRAND

Best Corporate Brand Program of the Year: Jelly Belly (by Jelly Belly Candy Company/The Licensing Company North America, Inc.)

Best Corporate Brand Licensee of the Year – Hard Goods: Thermos L.L.C. (for Under Armour/hydration bottles)

Best Corporate Brand Licensee of the Year – Soft Goods: SGI Apparel (for Harley-Davidson/children’s apparel & accessories)

FILM, TELEVISION, CELEBRITY, OR ENTERTAINMENT

Best Film, Television, Celebrity, or Entertainment Program of the Year: Peppa Pig (by Entertainment One)

Best Film, Television, Celebrity, or Entertainment Licensee of the Year – Hard Goods: Redan Publishing Ltd. (for Peppa Pig/Fun to Learn and Bag-O-Fun magazines

Best Film, Television, Celebrity, or Entertainment Licensee of the Year – Soft Goods: Jay Franco and Sons, Inc. (for Star Wars/home collection)

SPORTS

Best Sports Program of the Year: NBA (by National Basketball Association)

Best Sports Licensee of the Year – Hard Goods: Topps International (for Indian Premier League Cricket Attax/trading card game)

Best Sports Licensee of the Year – Soft Goods: Junk Food Clothing (for NFL/Junk Food Vintage NFL)

PROMOTION

Best Licensed Promotion of the Year (tie): Hello Kitty Beauty at Sephora (by Sanrio, Inc.) and M•A•C Wonder Woman Collection (by DC Comics/Warner Bros. Consumer Products)

RETAILER

Best Retailer of the Year: Walgreens (for The Biggest Loser)

OVERALL BEST LICENSED PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

Angry Birds (by Rovio Entertainment Ltd.)

Also, from the AFP via the Hindustan Times:

Angry Birds sweeps Licensing Awards

Taking three of the 17 prizes at the International Licensing Excellence Awards in Las Vegas, the Angry Birds game shared the night with top winner Peppa Pig. The successful mobile game Angry Birds from Sweden's Rovio Entertainment, which has sold more than 12 million internationally, took the most honors of any product, including Overall Best Licensed Program of the Year and Best Character/Toy Brand Program for its plush stuffed animals and products.

In the category of Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment, the big winner was Peppa Pig, a British-made animated children's television show that airs in the UK and on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. in the US. It also won for Peppa Pig/Fun to Learn and Bag-O-Fun magazines.

Another notable winner of the night was US national retailer Walgreens, which won for the first time as Best Retailer of the Year for products associated with the weight-loss reality television show, The Biggest Loser.

The 2012 Licensing Expo brings retailers, manufacturers and brand owners together to present the latest licensing deals for the upcoming year.

Other highlights included:

Best Art or Design Program of the Year: The Victoria and Albert Museum
Best Art or Design Licensee of the Year: Very Hungry Caterpillar children's gardening products by Navigate Ltd.
Best Character or Toy Brand Licensee of the Year, Soft Goods: Pillow Pets/slipper collection by SGFootwear
Best Film, Television, Celebrity, or Entertainment Licensee of the Year, Soft Goods: Star Wars home collection by Jay Franco and Sons
Best Corporate Brand winners included Jelly Belly Candy, Under Armour/hydration bottles by Thermos and Harley-Davidson/children's apparel and accessories.
Best Licensed Promotion of the Year: Hello Kitty Beauty at Sephora (Sanrio) tied with M•A•C Wonder Woman Collection (DC Comics/Warner Bros. Consumer Products)

ITV Studios Global Entertainment Inks Merchandising Deals For "The Matt Hatter Chronicles" And "Babar"; "Matt Hatter Chronicles" Merchandise To Be Released From 2013

From Kidscreen:

ITV Studios inks deals for Babar, Matt Hatter

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) has signed deals to represent rights for preschool brand Babar and the 3D/CGI-animated series Matt Hatter Chronicles.

The Babar deal is a multi-year agreement with Toronto, Canada-based Nelvana and The Clifford Ross Company, in which ITVS GE will represent L&M for the Babar brand, including the original books, the original 1980s TV series, and the new animated series, Babar and the Adventures of Badou, which airs on CITV.

Coinciding with Babar’s 80th birthday, the initial products will be creatively focused on the brand's vintage artwork. The initial campaign will target the preschool, nursery and gifting categories with a focus on reigniting the nostalgic Babar style in the UK market.

Since 2010, CITV has aired Babar and the Adventures of Badou, the CGI-animated series produced by Nelvana and French studio TeamTO that features Badou, Babar’s eight-year-old grandson. The channel currently airs two episodes of the series every weekday, which has gained a strong following.

In the deal with Matt Hatter Chronicles, UK-based prodco Platinum Films Limited has signed on ITVS GE to represent rights for merchandising, publishing, promotional and home entertainment in the UK, Eire, Australia and New Zealand.

Created by Nigel Stone and aimed at five- to 10-year-old boys the 13 x 22-minute series is produced by Platinum Films and Dream Mill with Toronto, Canada-based studio Arc. It currently airs on CITV and Nicktoons in the UK, with a further 13 x 22-minute episodes to air on CITV this fall and on Nicktoons this spring. The series has also been sold to Nickelodeon in Australia and will air on RTE in Eire and Teletoon in Canada.

Existing deals for Matt Hatter Chronicles will see products launch in 2013. Topps is creating innovative trading cards and sticker collections and Penguin is producing mini-novels.

Tags: Arc Productions, Babar, CITV, Dream Mill, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, Matt Hatter Chronicles, Nelvana, Platinum Films, The Clifford Ross Company

Parragon Books Teams Up With Nickelodeon UK; To Publish Books Based On Nickelodeon Shows, Including "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "Dora The Explorer", "SpongeBob SquarePants" And "Winx Club", From Spring 2013

From The Bookseller:

Parragon Books teams with Nickelodeon

Parragon Books has acquired master publishing rights in the UK for Nickelodeon UK children's entertainment portfolio.

The Nickelodeon UK brands include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and Winx Club.

Parragon will release more than 60 new books from spring 2013, based on more than 300 new animated television episodes which Nickelodeon will roll out in 2012. The range of titles will include a variety of formats from storybooks and activity to novelty and books-plus titles, across different price points.

Mark Kingston vice-president of [Nickelodeon] consumer products UK, Australia, Russia, Israel and CEE, retail sales and trade marketing Europe said: "The new book offering is set to complement Nickelodeon UK's activity on air and enhance the brand experience for our audience, keen to enjoy their favourite shows across a variety of media."

Also, from Publishers Weekly:

Nickelodeon licensed Parragon for master publishing rights in the U.K. and Ireland, where it plans more than 60 new books starting in spring 2013. Parragon already holds the Nickelodeon license in Australia and New Zealand....