The upcoming Michael Bay-produced Ninja Turtles is looking to start production soon as Production Weekly is reporting that the new movie will start filming this April in New York.

To be directed by Jonathan Liebesman , Ninja Turtles is currently scheduled to be released on May 16, 2014, the same date as Warner Bros.' juggernaut Godzilla.

There's been quite a bit of controversy about the project. It all started when Bay said that the turtles in the movie would be of alien origin and then the name was shortened from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to Ninja Turtles. Bay defended that decision with the following statement last March:

"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."