Empire State Development: Cameras start rolling in Buffalo on 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2'

ESD: Production's multimillion-dollar economic impact will bring big boost to local businesses and help bolster regional tourism industry

Empire State Development today announced filming has commenced in Buffalo for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies' "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2." The sequel to last summer's blockbuster "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is expected to spend an estimated $70 million statewide, resulting in more than 1,000 New York jobs. During two weeks of filming in Buffalo, the production expects to spend approximately $7 million, while investing extensively in local businesses and resources.

"The New York State Film Tax Credit program, combined with our talent, resources and locations, has made our state a top contender for film production," Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said. "Thanks to the 10 percent expansion of the tax credit program for upstate productions, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' will be eligible for $5 million for qualified labor expenses, enabling the production to boost Buffalo's economy and promote regional tourism while bringing this next chapter in the Turtle's story to life."

Many film productions have touted New York's Film Production Tax Credit Program as a major factor when choosing the Empire State as the location to film. In 2014 alone, 194 film and television projects applied for the program and are projected to spend approximately $2.6 billion while hiring tens of thousands of individuals in New York. As a result of provisions designed to enhance the program and drive more productions to upstate New York, the program now offers an additional 10 percent on qualified labor costs for films that shoot or do post-production in upstate counties.

"Shooting 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' in upstate New York is proving to be a great experience and we are thankful to the city for its warm welcome," said Lee Rosenthal, president of physical production at Paramount Pictures. "Buffalo has provided the perfect backdrop to shoot some exciting action scenes, and we are thrilled to be getting things underway."

David Green directs Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies' "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2". Michael Bay is producing alongside his Platinum Dunes partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, with Galen Walker and Scott Mednick also producing. The screenplay is by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, who also executive produce with Denis L. Stewart, Grant Curtis, Eric Crown and Napoleon Smith III. The film is based on the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.

Paramount Pictures will release the film June 3, 2016.