“Zombie Kid” Returns 16 Years Later to Promote New ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Movie

Zombie Kid Returns to Promote Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie

Sixteen years ago, a young kid named Jonathan Ware made internet history. He was interviewed at a Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, wearing zombie face paint and had bleached hair. In addition to his unforgettable look, Ware left a lasting impression with his hilarious response to the reporter who prompted him with, “Jonathan just got an awesome face paint job. What do you think?” The stoic child simply said, “I like turtles.” And that was and it took for the internet to affectionately nickname him “Zombie Kid” and make his short video clip go viral. In anticipation of the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movie, Ware made a surprise return—face paint and all.

This new video is set in the Waterfront Village of New York's Midtown. “We found the Zombie Kid a.k.a Jonathan! He still has an awesome face paint job and is here with the first review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” it says in the video's caption. When the reporter turns to the now-adult Ware, she asks him for his opinion of the new film, to which he replies: “I like turtles.” This was the same answer he gave in the interview over a decade ago. Ware even mimicked the deadpanned inflection he had as a child.

Paramount's remake of the viral sensation playfully promotes the new film, which will be released in theaters on August 2, 2023. If you “like turtles” then odds are that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will be the movie for you.

Sixteen years ago, Jonathan Ware became known as “Zombie Kid” in a viral clip.

Paramount brought Ware back as “Zombie Kid” to promote the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

h/t: [KGW8]

All images via YouTube.

Related Articles:

Side-By-Side Comparisons Reveal How On-Screen Superheroes Look “Then and Now”

Awesome 3D Street Painting: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Saul Bass Meets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content