Unraveling the Hidden Secrets of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: A Closer Look at Mutant Mayhem Easter Eggs and References

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. This film brings a fresh take on the well-known characters, incorporating numerous Easter eggs. The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series was released in 1984 and quickly gained a dedicated following, leading to adaptations in various forms, each with its own unique portrayal of the characters.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem maintains a lighthearted tone but also incorporates numerous familiar characters from the Ninja Turtles universe in a new and exciting way. While most characters have their own significant roles within the movie's story, there are also hidden Easter eggs and references throughout, ranging from nods to popular culture to comic book allusions, providing hints of what's to come.

The Nickelodeon Logo Isn't Orange

Because Paramount and Nickelodeon are the studios responsible for Ninja Turtles projects, the movie starts with the Nickelodeon logo displayed on the screen. Normally, the Nickelodeon logo is a vibrant shade of orange. This has been the case for many years, despite Nickelodeon's strong association with green slime during the 1990s. However, in Mutant Mayhem, the Nickelodeon logo takes on a slimy green color. It matches the hue of the ooze that mutates both Splinter and the turtles.

TCRI

TCRI, short for Techno Cosmic Research Institute, is an organization within the Ninja Turtles canon. In the Mutant Mayhem storyline, it serves as the workplace of Baxter Stockman. TCRI becomes the target of a failed attempt by another company to seize all of Stockman's experiments, although they are unable to replicate his findings. Stockman's experiments with the mysterious substance known as "the ooze" ultimately result in the creation of iconic characters such as Superfly and Genghis Frog. Despite its facade as a scientific research facility, TCRI is revealed to be a front for a group of extraterrestrial beings who accidentally crash-landed on Earth.

Cynthia Utrom

Cynthia Utrom, the apparent head of TCRI in Mutant Mayhem, is responsible for ordering the attack on Baxter Stockman and attempting to extract the Ninja Turtles' ooze-mutated blood. It strongly suggests that she, too, is an alien, possibly belonging to the Utroms alien race. The Utroms utilize TCRI as a cover for their Earthly endeavors. Depending on the storyline, the Utroms may either be in search of a way back to their home planet or have intentions of conquering Earth. Although not explicitly revealed in Mutant Mayhem, considering her name and affiliation, Cynthia Utrom is likely one of these extraterrestrial beings.

Nickelodeon References

Given the affiliation between the contemporary animated Ninja Turtles and Nickelodeon, it comes as no shock that the film includes numerous allusions to Nickelodeon characters. One can spot an actor donning a Spongebob Squarepants outfit at Time Square. Additionally, the turtles pay homage to Arnold's football-shaped head from the animated show Hey Arnold.

The Ninja Turtles Know A Lot Of Pop Culture References

Nickelodeon's turtles are well-versed in pop culture beyond their own properties. They have attended concerts by Adele, enjoyed watching the Fast and Furious movies, and have a strong appreciation for manga and anime. Their belongings proudly display stickers from various franchises. Donatello, in particular, is a passionate video game enthusiast and credits the Forza racing games for teaching him how to drive. The group also relishes in watching the beloved 1980s film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, singing along to BTS songs, and recognizing animated characters like Shrek, Gru, and Megamind. Their knowledge of pop culture extends beyond what younger audience members may be familiar with as well. At one point, Superfly enters a room and quotes lyrics from Ice-T's song "6 'n the Mornin'."

Jackie Chan References

Jackie Chan lends his voice to Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, where the fight scenes draw clear inspiration from his iconic movies. The fight sequences in the film not only provide uproarious humor but also showcase the characters' resourcefulness, as they wield various objects as weapons instead of merely relying on their traditional arsenal. Even Splinter cleverly utilizes a rolling desk chair to gain an upper hand during the confrontation at TCRI. Co-writers and director Jeff Rowe intentionally imbued the movie with elements reminiscent of Chan's renowned martial arts style, specifically drawing inspiration from his films Rumble in the Bronx and Police Story, as confirmed via Screenrant.

Ninja Rap

Eastman High And The Laird Building

The high school attended by April O'Neil in the movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is Eastman High. This school's name is a homage to Kevin Eastman, one of the original creators of the Ninja Turtles comic book series. Similarly, when April and the turtles meet to converse, their meeting takes place on the rooftop of a building adorned with a large illuminated sign that reads "Laird." This sign pays tribute to Peter Laird, another of the original creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics. Unlike the animated shows and live-action movies targeted at younger audiences, their original stories had a much darker tone.

The Three Chrises

When arranging a party for his turtle sons, Splinter adds a unique twist by incorporating three life-size cardboard cutouts of well-known Hollywood Chrises. Among them are Chris Evans, recognized for his role in the Captain America movies, Chris Pine from the Star Trek movies, and Chris Pratt, popular for his portrayal in the Guardians of the Galaxy series. Interestingly, the only absence is Chris Hemsworth. Notably, Splinter refers to one of them as the "best Chris," with high chances of it being Chris Evans, who previously lent his voice to Casey Jones, a vigilant warrior and loyal friend of the turtles, in a different animated endeavor.

Channel 6

Channel 6 is the predominant news channel featured in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. It serves as the channel where April O'Neil, the turtles' steadfast ally, unexpectedly appears during a live broadcast. Her intention is to rectify the mistaken portrayal of the turtles as villains. It should be noted that in the original animated series of the franchise, April O'Neil was employed by Channel 6, further highlighting its significance.

Mutant Mayhem Voice Cameos

Some surprising voice casting choices were already disclosed prior to the film's release, such as Rose Byrne portraying Leatherhead. However, numerous characters in the movie only make brief appearances, leaving ample potential for voice cameos. One such cameo is provided by Youtuber MrBeast, who lends his voice to a character in a flashback featuring Splinter's unfortunate encounter with humans in Times Square. Additionally, Kevin Eastman, one of the creators of the Ninja Turtles, is credited as one of the New Yorkers in the climactic battle scene. There are likely even more voice cameos that remain undisclosed until the complete voice cast is unveiled.

Mid-Credit Scene Teases A Classic Ninja Turtles Villain

Continuing the time-honored tradition of superhero films, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem unveils an intriguing mid-credit scene. Serving as more than just a mere glimpse, this sequence entices viewers with a tantalizing glimpse of what lies ahead for our turtle heroes. It becomes abundantly clear that Cynthia Utrom, a vigilant observer, still keeps a watchful eye on the turtles. However, her intentions become enigmatic as she contemplates summoning The Shredder to confront them.

Shredder, the most renowned adversary of the Ninja Turtles, has made his mark as an iconic villain in every rendition of the tale. With this hint, it strongly suggests that Shredder will make an appearance in the upcoming sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.