The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are gearing up for a big return to theaters over the next few years, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 landing in fall 2027 and a new live-action reboot scheduled for 2028.
While we wait to see what Paramount has cooking, a fan-made project just dropped that hits harder than anything officially announced so far. It’s raw, badass, and focused on the Turtle who’s always carried the most fire… Raphael.
YouTuber John Likens recently released a short fan film TMNT: Raphael: Test Footage, and it totally rips! The film throws the sai-wielding Ninja Turtle into a brutal subway showdown against the Foot Clan, delivering a gritty, grounded take on the character that leans fully into his rage and inner conflict.
This version of Raphael exists in a “world where brotherhood is tested, violence has consequences, and Raphael’s rage is both his greatest weapon and his greatest flaw.”
The action is intense and physical, but it never drifts into overly bloody violent territory. It’s rough, visceral, and sharp without going full R-rated carnage like the abandoned The Last Ronin adaptation might have.
If you liked the lighter tone of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem but still crave something darker for longtime fans, this scratches that itch in a big way.
Likens is very clear about the version of the franchise he wants to see brought to life, and he said:
“This is Raphael Unleashed. The version of the Ninja Turtles I’ve always wanted to see on the big screen. Enter into the darker side of the TMNT universe. A world where brotherhood is tested, violence has consequences, and Raphael’s rage is both his greatest weapon and his greatest flaw.
“It’s TMNT pushed to its limits: visceral, dramatic, and a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
“Let’s honor the iconic roots of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles while viewing it through a darker, cinematic lens. A grounded action thriller packed with chaos, conflict, and brutal martial arts, while carrying the emotional depth and high-stakes drama of a prestige series.
“A long standing goal of mine is to create a TMNT film or episodic series. Paramount Pictures, if you’re listening… Let’s Talk.”
That vision feels right on target. There’s no reason the Turtles can’t crack jokes, devour pizza, and still be thrown into something dangerous and emotionally heavy. If the Mutant Mayhem films are built mainly for younger audiences, why can’t the next live-action take aim at the fans who grew up with the franchise and want to see the stakes pushed higher?
As for the official future of the franchise, the next live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is currently set for November 17, 2028, with Mutant Mayhem 2 arriving earlier on September 17, 2027.
The reboot is being produced by Neal H. Mortiz, whose credits include Fast & Furious and Sonic the Hedgehog. Following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount Pictures, the studio is reportedly aiming to fully unlock the franchise’s potential.
This will mark the first live-action TMNT film since Out of the Shadows hit theaters back in 2016, and Moritz was brought on with the idea of “Sonic-fying” the Turtles for a new era.
Whether or not Paramount ever reaches out to Likens, this fan film proves there’s a serious appetite for a darker, more grounded take on the heroes in a half shell. It’s badass, emotionally charged, and exactly what fans would love to see in a movie!
