Last week, producer Michael Bay lit a fuse under longtime Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans with his description of the upcoming live-action reboot. "Kids are going to believe, one day, that these turtles do exist, when we are done with this movie," he said during his Nickelodeon upfront presentation. "These Turtles are from an alien race, and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable."

Fan reaction has been fierce and nearly universally negative, the internet exploding with tweets, Facebook pages and more. Comment sections and forum threads, from here at CBR to Entertainment Weekly to to The Guardian lit up with negative reaction to the news, personal attacks against Bay and a general sense of dismay at what is being perceived as an egregious affront to millions of childhoods.

Actor Robbie Rist, who voiced Michelangelo in the first TMNT live-action flick, shared his pleasure in a very public, hyperbolic fashion, writing an open letter which states, "You probably don't know me but I did some voice work on the first set of movies that you are starting to talk about sodomizing. I know believing in mutated talking turtles is kinda silly to begin with but am I supposed to be led to believe there are ninjas from another planet? The rape of our childhood memories continues."

Bay has personally responded, telling fans they "need to take a breath, and chill." The Hollywood heavyweight continued, promising that fans will be pleased with the final product. "Our team is working closely with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles to help expand and give a more complex back story. Relax, we are including everything that made you become fans in the first place. We are just building a richer world."

Check out the video clip from Bay's presentation below, and stay tuned to CBR News for more "TMNT" news.

Michael Bay talks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by stuffwelike