'Ninja Turtles' to start filming later this year

Amidst controversy over the potential retooling of the characters' origin story, producer Michael Bay's "Ninja Turtles" will begin filming later this year.

Filming is expected to begin this fall.

The Province is reporting (found via Comingsoon.net) that production will start in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in either late summer or early fall.

Bay courted fan outrage earlier this year when he mentioned that the Turtles' origin story would be more alien in nature than in the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" comics, cartoon series and movies. This was compounded when Paramount Studios announced the title for the upcoming movie was being shortened to "Ninja Turtles."

In March, Bay responded to the controversy on his website, posting:

"Paramount marketing changed the name. They made the title simple. The characters you all remember are exactly the same, and yes they still act like teenagers. Everything you remember, why you liked the characters, is in the movie. This script is being developed by two very smart writers, with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles. They care VERY MUCH about making this film for the fans. Everyone on this team cares about the fans. Just give them a chance. Jonathan the director, is a major fan of the whole franchise. HE’S NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN."

The new film will be directed by Jonathan Liebesman ("Wrath of the Titans") based on a screenplay from Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec ("Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol").

The movie is set for release on Dec. 25, 2013.