(March 20th, 2015) Empire State Development today announced that Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 has chosen to film in New York State, in New York City and Buffalo. The sequel to last summer’s blockbuster TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is expected to spend an estimated $70 million statewide, resulting in more than 1,000 New York State jobs.
“New York has cemented its role as the top destination for productions from across the nation due to the plethora of talent, resources and locations that we have to offer,” Governor Cuomo said. “The production of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 will generate new jobs and economic activity from Buffalo to Brooklyn, which is great news for our local communities and fans of the franchise.”
“From production assistants to work behind the cameras to textiles and lumber for set design to local restaurants to feed crew members, New York City knows how to host block-buster films,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We welcome TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 to New York City, and look forward to the many jobs and millions of dollars this will bring to our local economy.”
“The Ninja Turtle movie will bring an economic boost to the City of Buffalo,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. “The movie crew will be staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and hiring local people to be part of the production team. We look forward to seeing the Queen City highlighted in this sequel to the original blockbuster.”
“Thanks to the State’s strengthened and enhanced Film Production Tax Credit Program, the Turtles are grabbing their longboards and heading back to New York State,” said Empire State Development Acting President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “There is no place like New York when it comes to making blockbuster movies, which require diverse locations and ample resources – and the Big Apple and Queen City deliver both in a big way. By shooting the second installment of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles here in New York, the production team is getting a world-class environment and unrivaled workforce, while Buffalo and New York will see millions of dollars invested and more than 1,000 New Yorkers put to work.”
Principal photography is slated to begin in late April in New York City, with scenes taking place at Marcy Armory in Williamsburg and other locations throughout the city. Overall filming will continue throughout the summer.
Production is expected to commence in Buffalo in early May for two weeks. The production expects to spend approximately $7 million in Buffalo, while investing extensively in local equipment rentals, including trucks and generators.
“Our office has been working discreetly with Paramount Pictures for several months to solidify this production for Buffalo.” said Buffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark. “We’d like to thank Mayor Byron Brown for his commitment to this project. In his recent state of the city address the Mayor reaffirmed his support for the film industry, and with TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, he and his department heads have delivered on that support.” Clark also noted how the professional crew base in Western New York has expanded it’s proficiency with numerous recent feature film projects. “This made the decision to come to Buffalo an easy one for the Paramount production team.” Clark added
“Shooting TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES in New York State was a wonderful experience so we are thrilled to be returning to make the sequel,” said Lee Rosenthal, President, Physical Production at Paramount Pictures. “We are thankful for New York’s continued generous support and hospitality and look forward to another successful collaboration.”
Many major film productions have touted New York State’s Film Production Tax Credit Program as a major factor when choosing the Empire State as the location to film. Since 2004, 1,169 film and television projects have participated in the program and are estimated to have generated more than 871,000 new hires and over $17.3 billion in new spending in New York State. In 2014 alone, 194 film and television projects applied for the program and are projected to spend approximately $2.6 billion while hiring more than 162,500 individuals in New York State.
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 is directed by David Green. Michael Bay is producing alongside his Platinum Dunes partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, with Galen Walker and Scott Mednick also producing. Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec are writing and will executive produce with Denis Stewart.
The film will be released by Paramount Pictures on June 3, 2016.