In an interview about his most recent film, Pain & Gain, Michael Bay addressed concerns regarding his upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot.  Rumors have been circulating since the film’s announcement that the Teenage, Mutant, and Turtles part of the title were misleading as it was believed the beloved characters were aliens and not mutated turtles; the film’s original title, Ninja Turtles, was further indication that the titular characters may be aliens.

However, Michael Bay has clarified that the crime fighting reptiles remain true to their roots as turtles mutated by the ooze:

There was that quote saying that we’re making [the Ninja Turtles as] aliens. We’re not. It’s the ooze! It’s from the original source material. These are from the original writers, and I never went out to correct myself in the press. I do listen to the fans and I do want this to be authentic. I think they’re going to be really happy with this movie.

The film’s title has officially been changed to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Sources:  Moviefone, TMNT Lair