Cowabunga, dude! The new Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles movie - parts of which were filmed in Buffalo - is opening in wide release across the United States this weekend. That includes a one-week special run in IMAX and IMAX 3D theaters beginning Friday. "Out of the Shadows" is expected to gross $30-40 million from over 4,000 theaters during its opening weekend, with some analysts believing the figure could go higher. The 2014 original grossed a strong $65 million in its first three days and nearly $500 million overall.
Most of the movie was filmed in New York City, but Buffalo had its part, including several nights of road closures, low-flying helicopters and often loud noises for filming a chase scene. The Kensington Expressway can be seen in the https://youtu.be/VAbRg7xUtVU">movie's trailer and in the sequel's opening scene.
Paramount Pictures brought in more than 200 people for the film shoot. They booked 2,200 room nights at local hotels and about 150 local vendors were hired to provide everything from catering to windshield repairs needed because of stunt work, pumping some $7 million into the local economy.
Statewide, Empire State Development said the film spent an estimated $70 million, resulting in more than 1,000 New York State jobs.
A special screening will be held at the Regal Elmwood Cinemas, giving community groups including the Boys & Girls Clubs, Peacemakers, the Community Action Organization and others, a chance to see the car chases, explosions and wild helicopter rides filmed in Buffalo in advance of the movie’s theatrical release. Gary Anthony Williams, who plays the villain BEBOP, will be in attendance at the event.
The sequel is already getting good reviews, some saying it is better than its predecessor
