Did April from ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ change her race? Fans discuss new movie

Known as ‘Ninja Turtles’ in Spanish, since the late 1980s they have been part of popular culture and with cartoons, video games, series and ‘live action’ movies they have received many adaptations.

But with the trailer for his new animated film ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’, criticism and commentary focused on the redesign of reporter April O’Neil as a black woman.

From the famous cartoon series ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (1987–1996) the character of April O’Neil is known by most fans as a white, red-haired girl.

In most of her incarnations this design has been maintained, including her ‘live action’ appearances with Judith Hoag and Paige Turco in the 1990s, as well as Megan Fox (whom you can watch ‘Passion Play’ for free on ViX) in 2014 and 2016.

However, for the new 2023 film, the turtles’ friend is a young African-American woman and her voice actress is comedian Ayo Edebiri.

Although others celebrated it and pointed out that in reality April O’Neil when she debuted in the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ comics in the 80s was not a red-haired and white woman.

Even those in favor of his new look have pointed out that comics co-creator Kevin Eastman based the character’s original design on his ex-girlfriend April Fisher, who was a mixed-race woman of color.

Even so, the discussion on social networks has been strong and there are other fans who accuse the new version as another instance of changing a famous character who is known to be redheaded and white.

They have even attacked the idea that the original April from the comics was black, because just like the creator’s ex-girlfriend, the character can be seen (in some color covers) with Asian features and light brown skin.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ opens on August 4, 2023 in theaters and features the voices of Nicolas Cantu (Leonardo), Micah Abbey (Donatello), Shamon Brown Jr. (Michelangelo) and Brady Noon (Raphael). ).

In addition to the participation of Jackie Chan (Splinter), Seth Rogen (Bebop), John Cena (Rocksteady), Ice Cube (Superfly), Paul Rudd (Mondo Gecko) and Giancarlo Esposito (Baxter Stockman).