‘Funny They Turned Her From a Ginger Into This’: Fans React To Netflix Turning April O’Neil Black in ‘Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Movie
Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a fan favorite when it aired on Nickelodeon from 2018 to 2020. The iconic characters who are a part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise are making their return in a Netflix film of the same name as the animated show. Netflix recently dropped the film’s first trailer, which gave the fans a glimpse of what is to come.
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Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie set to release on Netflix in August
The film, which is directed by Ant Ward and Andy Suriano, is set to release on the streaming platform on August 5, 2022, and will serve as a finale to the series. The two directors were earlier involved in the animated series as well. Ant Ward served as the show’s producer, and Andy Suriano was the character designer on the show. Their prior association will likely ensure that the film follows the same trajectory.
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Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series diversified representation
It is no doubt that the show was well-loved by the fans despite the creative liberty exercised by the shoemakers by changing the character of April O’Neil, the love interest of Casey Jones, from being a redhead to a black girl. The character was voiced by Kat Graham, who is popularly known for her role in the hit show The Vampire Diaries. Some fans may not have liked the change, but it was a positive step for the diversification of representation on TV.
Moreover, since the character was initially designed to be of darker skin and named after the co-creator, Kevin Eastman’s then African-American girlfriend, it is only fair that the character is a person of color on the show as well.
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Fans support April O’Neil’s character being Black in the animated series
Several fans reacted positively to the change and appreciated the diverse representation.
The April O'Neil from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the best, funniest, most adorablest April ever and I want to adopt her.
— Grey, Wannabe Cryptid (@ZoeNox) June 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/PancakeTheSimp/status/1421944289194561536
Our second fictional black fem of the day is April O’ Niel! She is a black girl from the show Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! (she/her) pic.twitter.com/BUoT6Z5tXV
— Black Fem OTD (@black_girl_otd) August 1, 2021
I can’t believe they named an entire month after April O’Neil from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that is so cool pic.twitter.com/7ExkODpq3E
— BBart @ ✨COMMS CLOSED✨ (@bakedbananners1) March 4, 2021
Today's Nickelodeon Character of the day is April O'Neil from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pic.twitter.com/ro1EFkMR3Y
— Nickelodeon Character of the day (@Nickelodeonday) April 9, 2022
The entire cast is returning for the Netflix film, along with new additions, Haley Joel Osment and Rhys Darby.
You can watch the trailer of the film here:
Source: Gamespot