From the start, the crux of Paramount Pictures' new, family-oriented action-adventure “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” was re-envisioning the Turtles. It was essential that the charisma and comic flair of these amped-up amphibians shine through while bringing something new, forging Mutant mythology with 21st Century filmmaking. Each member of the Ninja family brings his own unique skills and attitude.

LEONARDO: Named for the mind-bending Italian inventor and painter Leonardo Da Vinci, Leonardo is the cool, calm, Zen Master of the Turtles, who takes to heart the responsibility of being the oldest brother. Luckily, “Leo” stands 6’ 5” and wields his steel katana swords with deadly accuracy.

While Leo has always been the most serious and disciplined of the four brothers since the very first TMNT comics, this Leo is a fresh incarnation who wrestles with a burden most teenagers don’t have: saving the world while keeping his little brothers safe! Picking up where Master Splinter leaves off, he serves as a surrogate dad to his family. And when it comes to the Ninja part of their legacy, no one trains harder than Leo, making him a formidable foe to anyone who threatens their brotherhood.

RAPHAEL: The namesake of the master fresco painter known as the father of Renaissance style, Raphael is no pushover. He’s the rebel bad-boy of the four brothers, known not only for his fierce red mask and his prong-shaped sai weapons, but his fiery opinions. Nicknamed Raph, Raphael might be the one turtle most likely to act now and ask questions later, but beneath his stormy personality, he’s as loyal to his brothers as they are to him.

Going back to the early comics, Raphael was always the most hotheaded but he has evolved into the quartet’s beloved wise-guy. And as ever, his fearless fighting skills continue to give the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles a serious advantage when battling evil.

MICHELANGELO: The inimitably insightful Italian painter and sculptor Michelangelo gives the youngest brother among the Turtles his name. Freewheeling and irrepressibly fun-loving, “Mikey” dons an orange mask while whirling his nunchakus and spouting surfer lingo between bites of pizza.

Because he most resembles the original drawing by Kevin Eastman, some consider Michelangelo to be the very first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

Since then, through the history of the many comic books, TV series and movies, Michelangelo has come to embody the heart of the brothers and also coined many of their catchiest catch-phrases including the oft-quoted “Cowabunga!” No matter how tense a situation the Turtles find themselves in, Mikey never loses his verve. Still a giant kid at heart, this incarnation of Mikey brings a B-boy style his high-spirited humor even to battle.

DONATELLO: Dubbed for the Florentine sculptor who left an indelible mark on the art world, Donatello is the tech-savvy brains of the foursome. The tallest Turtle at 6’ 8”, behind his purple mask and his wooden bo staff, his sharp mind is never at rest.

While Donatello has, since the original comic, always been portrayed as the smartest of the terrapins, here he comes to life as non-stop digital inventor, the guy who comes up with all the most bodacious TMNT gadgets. Mirroring the cool, young nerds who drive the 21st Century, Donatello is as skilled at hacking into a camera or security system as he is at bandying his extra-long bo staff.

MASTER SPLINTER: Rounding out the Turtle’s patchwork family is Master Splinter, sometimes known just as Splinter, the wise but mutated rodent who has become sensei and adoptive father to the Turtles, instructing them in the ways of the Ninja.

Part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mythology from the very first comics, the elderly rat might be tiny in stature, but he more than makes up for it with his vast, all-knowing nature. And when things get tough, Splinter is ready to sacrifice.

As darkness settles over New York, the people of the city need heroes -- and they’re about to get them in the form of the mostly unlikely quartet of crime-fighters ever to help humankind: the spunky yet relentless reptilian force known as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Based on the endlessly popular characters created by comic book writers Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, the tenacious terrapins that have captivated audiences of every age for decades arrive into the 21st century.

Crime and fear are spreading through the streets as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have been flexing their iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future seems all too grim until four outcast brothers, survivors of a scientific experiment gone wrong, rise from the sewers, and take on their destiny as the ultimate masked vigilantes.

Opening across the Philippines on August 13, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

She rose to international stardom with her break-out role of Mikaela in Paramount Pictures’ “Transformers,” and the second film in the franchise, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” both produced by Michael Bay. Now, Megan Fox reunites with the blockbuster producer in the kid-friendly action-adventure “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”

In the film, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles try to roam secretly in the sewers and shadows of New York, they are discovered reporter April O’Neil (Fox) who will become key to their attempts to free the city from The Shredder’s brutal grip.

Finding just the right actors to carry the human side of the story was essential. To play April, the filmmakers knew they needed someone who not only would have broad appeal but the plucky personality that makes the probing young reporter a great match with Turtles. It wasn’t long before they turned to one of today’s hottest leading ladies: Megan Fox.

“We took the archetype of April O’Neil, the damsel in distress, and really molded it specifically to Megan who brings her wonderfully determined personality to the role,” says director Jonathan Liebesman. “April is a character with a lot to prove. She’s beautiful, but everyone doubts her, so we needed an actress who could literally give that sense that there’s far more there than meets the eye. Ultimately, she becomes a real family member, a real hero to the Turtles.”

Fox, like so many people of her generation, grew up on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and she couldn’t wait to see them come to life anew. “I am a huge fan and I wanted this part really badly,” she recalls. “This is the most excited I’ve ever been to be a part of a movie.”

Part of the excitement came from the lure she remembers the Turtles having on kids of all kinds. “I love that each Turtle reflects different personality traits. I think one reason they really resonate is that everybody has a favorite turtle of their own – and it’s usually because that turtle reflects your own personality. It’s really brilliant,” she says.

When April discovers the existence of the Turtles, she thinks she’s just tracking a hot story, but she soon becomes indelibly involved in their plans to aid the citizens of New York. Fox loved April’s sense of justice. “She’s kind of a Joan of Arc in my mind – someone who believes in doing whatever you can to accomplish what’s right,” she says.

Fox also enjoyed working with Liebesman at the helm of a very complex, demanding shoot. “Jonathan is very analytical and he was just consumed by this movie! He was thinking about it day and night—which is what you want because he was always thinking of how to make each moment the best that it can be and inspiring you to go for the very best performance.”

As darkness settles over New York, the people of the city need heroes -- and they’re about to get them in the form of the mostly unlikely quartet of crime-fighters ever to help humankind: the spunky yet relentless reptilian force known as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Based on the endlessly popular characters created by comic book writers Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, the tenacious terrapins that have captivated audiences of every age for decades arrive into the 21st century.

Crime and fear are spreading through the streets as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have been flexing their iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future seems all too grim until four outcast brothers, survivors of a scientific experiment gone wrong, rise from the sewers, and take on their destiny as the ultimate masked vigilantes. Faced with Shredder’s diabolical plans for domination, these Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are about to team up with fearless reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save the citizens of New York.

Opening across the Philippines on August 13, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Just mere days following the big reveal of character banners of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello, Paramount Pictures has now unleashed a new trailer for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” which may be viewed athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIwEHQj7bis&feature=share&list=UU9vXJYvgswrEHfNveILWM2Qr.

The new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” adventure is a modern-day iteration of the popular franchise that has captivated audiences of all ages for decades. Below is the film's official synopsis:

“The city needs heroes. Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save the city and unravel Shredder’s diabolical plan.”

Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, with a screenplay by Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec and Evan Daugherty, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is produced by Michael Bay (director and executive producer of the blockbuster Transformers franchise), Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Galen Walker, Scott Mednick and Ian Bryce, and directed by Jonathan Liebesman (“Wrath of the Titans”).

Opening across the Philippines on August 13, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Paramount Pictures has unveiled several “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”character posters that fully reveal the titular heroes. Check out Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello!

In this modern-day iteration of the popular franchise that has captivated audiences of all ages for decades, the Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O'Neil (Megan Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save New York City and unravel Shredder's diabolical plan.

Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, with a screenplay by Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec and Evan Daugherty, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is produced by Michael Bay (director and executive producer of the blockbuster Transformers franchise), Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Galen Walker, Scott Mednick and Ian Bryce, and directed by Jonathan Liebesman (“Wrath of the Titans”).

Opening across the Philippines on August 13, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.