In his latest venture, Seth Rogen breathes new life into the iconic “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchise with the upcoming animated movie “Mutant Mayhem.”
During a recent interview with Polygon, Rogen shared his perspective on why he has hesitated to join movie franchises like Marvel and DC superheroes.
Rogen candidly admitted that fear had been a primary factor holding him back. Having worked as a writer alongside Evan Goldberg for two decades, Rogen stated, “It’s a fear of the process, honestly. And I say that knowing nothing about the process. There are a lot of Marvel things I love.”
The concern lies in the possibility of assimilating into the well-established system they have in place, which, though adequate for Marvel and DC, maybe a challenging fit for Rogen and Goldberg’s unique approach. Rogen acknowledged the strength of their system but wondered if it would lead to frustration in the long run. He pointed out that “Mutant Mayhem” holds a different appeal as they act as producers, enabling them to create and control the process and infrastructure themselves—a dream for self-proclaimed control freaks like them.
While Rogen has already tasted success as a producer with Prime Video’s acclaimed series “The Boys,” inspired by the comic series of the same name, he still finds himself distant from Marvel movies. In a recent interview with Total Film magazine, he expressed that, despite acknowledging the brilliance of Kevin Feige and the talented filmmakers working on Marvel projects, the films are often geared towards children, making it a challenge for him, as an adult without children, to connect with them fully.
As Rogen takes the helm of “Mutant Mayhem,” he has big plans for the franchise, including a sequel film and a television series set to stream on Paramount+. The movie is set to hit theaters on August 2.
In conclusion, Seth Rogen’s apprehensions about joining established franchises like Marvel and DC stem from fear and a desire to maintain creative control. With “Mutant Mayhem,” Rogen is excited to build a new and unique venture where he can set the rules and forge a path that aligns with his creative vision.