Michael Bay says his 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' are no longer aliens

"When you see this movie, kids will believe one day that these turtles do exist, when we’re done with this movie. These turtles are from an alien race, and they’re going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely loveable. "

Those words by Michael Bay in March of last year set off an Internet firestorm so loud it earned its own Watergate-style nickname, "Turtlegate". Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was in deep trouble ever since then, which is why the film was pushed back in order to do a complete rewrite of the script and hopefully smooth things over. Since then we've heard a lot less about aliens and more of what sounded like a traditional approach to the popular characters, and now Bay has pretty much confirmed that is the case, while at the same time brushing aside his earlier comments.

While doing press for his new film Pain & Gain, Bay gave this revealing update to Moviefone on the status of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...

Bay: "There was that quote saying that we’re making [the Ninja Turtles as] aliens. We're not. It’s the ooze! It’s from the original source material. These are from the original writers, and I never went out to correct myself in the press. I do listen to the fans and I do want this to be authentic. I think they’re going to be really happy with this movie When I see the digital stuff, the turtles look great."

I supposed that's also why the earlier title of simply Ninja Turtles has gone away. The film will be directed by Jonathan Liebesman, with Megan Fox starring as April O'Neill, Will Arnett in a mystery role, Danny Woodburn as Master Splinter, Alan Ritchson as Raphael, Jeremy Howard as Donatello, Pete Ploszek as Leonardo, Noel Fisher as Michelangelo.  It'll open on June 6th 2014, where it will go up against the newly-dated 21 Jump Street sequel.