Exclusive: TMNT: Mutant Mayhem Director Reveals Surprising Inspiration Behind Epic Soundtrack!

Summary

The inclusion of "Ninja Rap" in the TMNT movie has sparked a difference of opinion among fans, with some deeming it outdated while others regard it as endearing and high-spirited.

It is uncertain whether Rogen drew inspiration from the return of the "DK Rap" in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but the inclusion of "Ninja Rap" in Mutant Mayhem follows a recent pattern for the multi-talented Rogen. His deep affection for the franchise has led to the revival of an infamous Vanilla Ice song in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Rogen, together with his producing partner Evan Goldberg and The Mitchells vs. The Machines co-director/co-writer Jeff Rowe, is collaborating on an animated reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie series. This new adaptation will feature a revamped origin story for the iconic heroes and delve into their early crime-fighting endeavors. In Mutant Mayhem, the Turtles band together to thwart a mysterious crime syndicate comprised of mutants, striving to gain acceptance from the world.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, Jeff Rowe discussed the inclusion of Easter eggs in the upcoming film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. As the co-writer/director, Rowe revealed that the movie originally had a different song before Seth Rogen suggested Vanilla Ice's iconic "Ninja Rap" from 1991's The Secret of the Ooze. Rowe expressed his admiration for Rogen's idea, acknowledging that it was a hilarious and brilliant choice. The co-writer/director shared that they had initially used a piece of easy listening music, but Rogen's late-night text about using "Ninja Rap" immediately resonated with him. Rowe couldn't help but praise the suggestion and admit that he wished it had been his own idea. Ultimately, he believed it was a fantastic addition to the film.

Editor's Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the movie covered here would not exist without the tireless efforts of the writers and actors in both unions.

Mutant Mayhem Recreates A Recent Seth Rogen Joke

Although it's uncertain how the song will be incorporated into the film, the fact that "Ninja Rap" will make a comeback in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem highlights an intriguing trend initiated by Seth Rogen. He has been known to recycle well-known franchise songs for reboots. An early instance of this trend took place in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, where Rogen's character in the Nintendo adaptation was introduced using the iconic "DK Rap" from Donkey Kong 64.

Much like the "DK Rap," Ice's "Ninja Rap" has divided fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Some find it outdated compared to the practical suits used in the 1990s movies, while others see it as a lively and charming celebration of the characters. The song has been referenced in other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles installments, such as Mikey singing "Go ninja, go ninja, go!" in the 2012 animated show and the lyric being included in the outro theme for Out of the Shadows.

Since Rogen did not have creative control over The Super Mario Bros. Movie and animated features typically take years to produce, it is unclear if he drew inspiration from the return of "DK Rap" in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which brought back Vanilla Ice's "Ninja Rap." Based on Rowe's comments mentioned earlier, it appears to be a lighthearted reference rather than a serious inclusion. However, considering Rogen's appreciation for the franchise and his commitment to making Mutant Mayhem a memorable experience for longtime fans, it is unlikely that he intends to insult viewers who hold the franchise dear.