Though despised by critics and many movie-goers (the film has a 22% on Rotten Tomatoes), the new ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles‘ movie was a big hit internationally (making around $477 million worldwide) and also a bit hit with kids, enough so that Paramount, Nickelodeon and Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes are ready for another go-around, with the sequel slated to hit theaters in June of 2016. It makes good business sense with the merchandising rights and with the re-invigoration of the franchise, but as a longtime fan one cannot help but worry about a film series that is being pushed out without any regard to its quality.

And although he had stated he would like to keep going with the franchise, the director of the first film, Jonathan Liebesman, is out, with the studio approaching ‘Earth to Echo‘ director Dave Green to helm the next chapter. ‘Echo,’ which was made for $13 million and garnered around $40 million at the box office, proved Green’s ability to make films that appealed to kids, which is what Paramount and Nickelodeon are looking for in a director to continue the Turtle franchise. Hopefully Green will bring the same creativity and innovation to the Turtles that he has previously shown, lifting the series out of the critical quagmire of the first film and into something more befitting its roots. They may be mutant turtles, but they are mutant turtles with over 20 years of storytelling behind them, much of which was greatly enjoyed by fans over the years.

As for what a sequel may offer that was lacking in the first film, check out the video below of an interview star Megan Fox had with Coming Soon shortly before the release of the first movie, where she talks about playing April O’Neal and hints that a sequel might just include fan favorite villains Bebop and Rocksteady:

With the film still in the development stage, more news about where the sequel will go and who will be starring will drop when the start of production is close. So keep checking back we’ll keep you up to date with all the news!

Source: TheWrap, Coming Soon