In anticipation of the upcoming theatrical release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Nickelodeon has acquired the worldwide rights to the original '80s animated series. Variety was first to report the news out of Comic-Con.

　　Produced by Fred Wolf Films, the show was based on the comic book characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The show takes place in New York City and follows the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their allies as they combat various villains, including the notorious Shredder and Krang.

　　The series was originally notable for undergoing significant changes from its darker-toned comic book counterpart, adapting it to be more child- and family-friendly. Characters from the iconic show made appearances in crossovers with later entries of the franchise, notably the 2009 film Turtles Forever and cameo appearances in the 2012 TV series.

　　After it began, the series played a pivotal role in catapulting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into mainstream popularity, becoming one of the most beloved animated shows in television history. The widespread success led to the creation of action figures, breakfast cereals, plush toys, and other merchandise featuring the characters, which became top-sellers worldwide.

　　Mutant Mayhem is Nickelodeon's first CG-animated theatrical production. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' first theatrical animated movie in over 15 years hits theaters nationwide on August 2, with early fan screenings happening later this month.

　　Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Drops 17 Character Posters

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　　David Wolinsky on Google+