For any readers unfamiliar with the franchise, TMNT follows a group of four baby pet turtles that are flushed in to the sewer. Down in the depths, they are exposed to toxic waste. This somehow causes the four reptiles to grow to human size (along with a sewer rat that was also contaminated), develop martial arts skills, and fight Shredder and his criminal gang known as the "Foot Clan". The turtles also cultivate a friendship with intrepid human reporter April O'Neill. It's outlandish I know, but when you're a kid, you kind of just go with it. I know I sure did during the show's original run in the late 80's and early 90's.
The Nickelodeon version will feature a few cosmetic changes, but the basic premise and character line-up remains intact. The official network release sells the show as "Funnier and with more Ninjutsu than ever before, the show will explore the companionship of four teenage brothers learning to rely on themselves and one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and grow to become the heroes in a half-shell that they are destined to be.”
The voice cast is as follows: American Pie's Jason Biggs as Leonardo, Lord Of The Rings' Sean Astin as Raphael, Teen Titan's Greg Cipes as Michelangelo, Rob Paulsen as Donatello (he also voiced the character in the original Turtles series), Parenthood's Mae Whitman as April, Hoon Lee as Master Splinter, and lastly Kevin Michael Richardson as the villainous Shredder.
The first season will consist of 26 half-hour episodes, and will premiere on Saturday, September 19th at 11am EST. It's nice to know that some places still show cartoons on Saturday mornings, even if they're not on as early as they used to be.
