Beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Star Was Meant to Return in Canceled Movie

Judith Hoag, the franchise's first live-action April O'Neil, reveals she was in talks to reprise her iconic role.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A canceled live-action adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series "The Last Ronin" would have brought back Judith Hoag, the actress who played April O'Neil in the original 1990 TMNT movie. Hoag revealed she had been approached to return to the role before the project was put on hold in favor of a new family-friendly TMNT reboot.

Why it matters

Hoag's return would have served as a legacy sequel to the original 1990 TMNT film, the only movie to feature her as April O'Neil. Her involvement suggests the canceled "The Last Ronin" adaptation was intended to be a more mature, R-rated take on the franchise, contrasting with the upcoming sequel to the animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem."

The details

Published between 2020-2022, "TMNT: The Last Ronin" is a five-issue comic book miniseries set in an alternative future, following the last remaining turtle as he seeks to avenge the death of his brothers. In April 2024, Paramount announced a R-rated film adaptation, but it was put on hold in November 2025 in favor of a new family-friendly TMNT reboot.

  • The "TMNT: The Last Ronin" comic book miniseries was published between 2020 and 2022.
  • In April 2024, a R-rated film adaptation of "The Last Ronin" was announced by Paramount.
  • In November 2025, the "The Last Ronin" movie was put on hold in favor of a new TMNT reboot.

The players

Judith Hoag

The actress who played April O'Neil in the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.

Kevin Eastman

The co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.

Peter Laird

The other co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.

Tyler Burton Smith

The screenwriter who was attached to write the screenplay for the canceled "The Last Ronin" movie adaptation.

Ilya Naishuller

The director who was in talks to helm the canceled "The Last Ronin" movie adaptation.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, I've been approached, and I'd be happy. It would be a great bookend for me. And maybe that happens and maybe it doesn't. We'll see.”

— Judith Hoag (Collider)

“a wonderful story”

— Judith Hoag (Collider)

“need to go to a comic con and spend some time with the fans”

— Judith Hoag (Collider)

What’s next

As fans wait for the next live-action TMNT movie, they can look forward to the upcoming sequel to the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which arrives in theaters on September 17, 2027.

The takeaway

The canceled "The Last Ronin" movie adaptation was intended to be a more mature, R-rated take on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, featuring the return of Judith Hoag as the iconic April O'Neil. Its cancellation in favor of a new family-friendly reboot highlights the ongoing balancing act between honoring the franchise's legacy and appealing to a broader audience.