'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' to film in Buffalo

Production will take place in New York City, too

Empire State Development today announced Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies' "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" has chosen to film in New York state - in New York City and Buffalo. 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.

"New York has cemented its role as the top destination for productions from across the nation due to the plethora of talent, resources and locations that we have to offer," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "The production of 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' will generate new jobs and economic activity from Buffalo to Brooklyn, which is great news for our local communities and fans of the franchise."

"From production assistants to work behind the cameras to textiles and lumber for set design to local restaurants to feed crew members, New York City knows how to host blockbuster films," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "We welcome 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' to New York City, and look forward to the many jobs and millions of dollars this will bring to our local economy."

"The 'Ninja Turtle' movie will bring an economic boost to the City of Buffalo," Mayor Byron Brown said. "The movie crew will be staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and hiring local people to be part of the production team. We look forward to seeing the Queen City highlighted in this sequel to the original blockbuster."

"Thanks to the state's strengthened and enhanced film production tax credit program, the Turtles are grabbing their longboards and heading back to New York state," Empire State Development Acting President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said. "There is no place like New York when it comes to making blockbuster movies, which require diverse locations and ample resources - and the Big Apple and Queen City deliver both in a big way.

"By shooting the second installment of the 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' here in New York, the production team is getting a world-class environment and unrivaled workforce, while Buffalo and New York will see millions of dollars invested and more than 1,000 New Yorkers put to work."

Principal photography is slated to begin in late April in New York City, with scenes taking place at Marcy Armory in Williamsburg and other locations throughout the city. Overall filming will continue throughout the summer.

Production is expected to commence in Buffalo in early May for two weeks. The production expects to spend approximately $7 million in Buffalo, while investing extensively in local equipment rentals, including trucks and generators.

"Shooting 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' in New York state was a wonderful experience, so we are thrilled to be returning to make the sequel," said Lee Rosenthal, president of physical production at Paramount Pictures. "We are thankful for New York's continued generous support and hospitality and look forward to another successful collaboration."

Many major film productions have touted New York state's film production tax credit program as a major factor when choosing the Empire State as the location to film. Since 2004, 1,169 film and television projects have participated in the program and are estimated to have generated more than 871,000 new hires and more than $17.3 billion in new spending in New York. In 2014 alone, 194 film and television projects applied for the program and are projected to spend approximately $2.6 billion while hiring more than 162,500 individuals in New York.

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies' "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" is directed by David Green. Michael Bay is producing alongside his Platinum Dunes partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, with Galen Walker and Scott Mednick also producing. Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec are writing and will executive produce with Denis Stewart.

Paramount Pictures will release the film June 3, 2016.

The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray combo packs with Digital HD are now available and include explorations of the Turtles' latest incarnations and their sensational appearance in 3D, an extended ending, a look at the making of the hit theme song "Shell Shocked," along with the music video and much more. In addition, specially marked Blu-ray combo packs include two reversible masks featuring all four signature colors of the beloved crime-fighters.

Masks are available only while supplies last and quantities are limited. Select retail outlets also will offer exclusive versions of the Blu-ray with collectible packaging, premiums and more.