‘Transformers One,’ ‘The Smurfs Movie’ Makers on Expanding Franchises: You Have to Show Audiences ‘Something They Don’t Know They Want to See’
When taking on established animated franchises, you can’t just “listen to nostalgia,” according to Jeff Rowe, director of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.”
“That’s when things get stale,” he said during Variety’s “Innovation and Inspiration in Global Animation” panel at Annecy Animation Festival, moderated by international editor Elsa Keslassy. Rowe was joined by “Transformers One” director Josh Cooley, “The Smurfs Movie” helmer Chris Miller and María Trénor, the director of “Rock Bottom.”
“It’s important to look at things with fresh eyes and ask, ‘Does this make sense? Does a man who was a sensei turning into a rat make sense?'” Rowe continued. “Our goal was to make a film that those who have never heard of ‘Ninja Turtles’ – or hated it and hated that the movie was even happening – were still able to enjoy.”
Therefore, the team hired many people who had “no familiarity with the franchise.
“That’s when things get stale,” he said during Variety’s “Innovation and Inspiration in Global Animation” panel at Annecy Animation Festival, moderated by international editor Elsa Keslassy. Rowe was joined by “Transformers One” director Josh Cooley, “The Smurfs Movie” helmer Chris Miller and María Trénor, the director of “Rock Bottom.”
“It’s important to look at things with fresh eyes and ask, ‘Does this make sense? Does a man who was a sensei turning into a rat make sense?'” Rowe continued. “Our goal was to make a film that those who have never heard of ‘Ninja Turtles’ – or hated it and hated that the movie was even happening – were still able to enjoy.”
Therefore, the team hired many people who had “no familiarity with the franchise.
- 6/12/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
When Zac Efron Opened Up About His Personal Struggles In Wake Of Disney Fame: “I Needed To Learn…”
- 4/28/2025
- by Samridhi Goel
- KoiMoi
Seth Rogen Turned a Dumb Question Into the ‘The Studio’ and ‘Severance’ Crossover I Never Knew I Needed
- 4/28/2025
- by Avneet Ahluwalia
- FandomWire
Olivia Wilde dirigirá la película ‘The Invite’, remake de la española ‘Sentimental’.
- 4/27/2025
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
Hailee Steinfeld in “Vogue”
- 4/27/2025
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Robert Pattinson To Blake Lively: 8 Stars Who Hated Their Iconic Roles
- 4/27/2025
- by Samridhi Goel
- KoiMoi
10 Actors With Terrible Rotten Tomatoes Streaks
- 4/26/2025
- by Sergio Pereira
- Slash Film
’Skam’ Producer and Nrk Drama Boss Unveils 2025-26 Lineup, With Canneseries’ ‘A Better Man’ Among Stories That Matter (Exclusive)
- 4/26/2025
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Here’s Matt Berry Reading Matt Stone’s Letter to the MPAA About the ‘South Park’ Movie
- 4/25/2025
- Cracked
2025 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Animated Program
- 4/25/2025
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.