How Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Contributed To The Lord of the Rings' Success
Seems like heroes from the sewers not only saved Earth but also Middle-earth.
When New Line Cinema decided to bring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the big screen in a live-action film, it was a bold move, no doubt about it.
Sure, the franchise had already captured the hearts of youngsters everywhere through comics, animated series, and all sorts of merchandise.
But venturing into uncharted territory with a live-action feature was a whole new ballgame.
However, the studio saw something special in the crime-fighting turtles and decided to roll the dice, and eventually it did pay off.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit theaters in 1990 and became an unexpected box office sensation, raking in over $200 million worldwide.
Keep in mind, this was on a budget of just $13.5 million. The film not only skyrocketed the turtles to pop culture stardom but also lined the pockets of New Line Cinema with some serious money.
The overwhelming triumph of TMNT allowed New Line Cinema to diversify its film slate and venture into different genres.
The financial stability provided by the franchise's success enabled the studio to take some risks and back projects that might have been considered too daring otherwise.
New Line Cinema became part of the Turner Broadcasting System 1994, following its acquisition for a sum of $500 million. However, the studio remained as an independent entity.
Fueled by the success of Turtles, New Line Cinema made some strategic acquisitions to expand its reach and portfolio.
One of the best acquisitions was the purchase of the rights to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
This acquisition paved the way for New Line Cinema's most ambitious undertaking and one of the most beloved film franchises in cinematic history.
Thanks to the triumph of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, New Line Cinema solidified its position as a major player in the industry.
With the wind in their sails and the support of a thriving studio, visionary director Peter Jackson embarked on the project bringing The Lord of the Rings to life.
The trilogy, comprising The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003), not only garnered critical acclaim and massive box office success but also solidified New Line Cinema's position as a creative powerhouse.