Paramount Keeps Mutant Mayhem Franchise Alive
The studio has not fully written off the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, even as it moves a live-action hybrid film toward a 2028 release.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Animation
Paramount is not fully writing off the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem franchise, which debuted in 2023 with a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score. The studio has tapped Neil Mortiz, a producer from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, to spearhead a live-action/CGI hybrid Turtles movie scheduled for 2028.
Why it matters
The decision signals that the studio sees continued value in the Turtles property across different formats. Keeping the animated lineage open alongside a new hybrid film reflects how franchise owners are weighing multiple versions of the same intellectual property.
The Mutant Mayhem film earned a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, while the Sonic the Hedgehog films have cumulatively surpassed one billion dollars globally across three entries. Whether a Mutant Mayhem sequel will follow remains unconfirmed.
The players
Paramount
Paramount is a major Hollywood studio that owns the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise and is developing both the animated sequel and the new hybrid film.
Neil Mortiz
Neil Mortiz is a film producer known for his work on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, now tapped to lead the live-action/CGI Turtles movie.
The details
A sequel to Mutant Mayhem was placed into development, and Paramount selected Neil Mortiz to lead the separate live-action/CGI hybrid Turtles project. The Wrap reported on Skydance's future plans for its animation studios alongside the franchise moves.
Timeline
2023: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem debuts.
2028: Live-action/CGI hybrid Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is scheduled for release.
Next year: The fourth Sonic the Hedgehog film arrives.
Franchise Playbook
Paramount's choice of Neil Mortiz, who produced the Sonic the Hedgehog films that have cumulatively grossed over a billion dollars, mirrors a live-action/CGI approach to family franchises that has proven commercially durable. Running an animated Mutant Mayhem sequel alongside a separate hybrid film extends that model by keeping multiple versions of the Turtles property in active development.
Viewers who want the animated Turtles story will depend on whether a Mutant Mayhem sequel is greenlit and released. The live-action/CGI hybrid film is not expected until 2028, so audiences will have to wait for a new version of the franchise.
The takeaway
Franchises with strong critical scores and reliable box office records often get multiple formats, so fans may see the Turtles return in more than one style. The timeline stretches to 2028, so patience will be part of following the property.
Further reading
For more on animated franchise development, see the Animation section.
