THS Casts the 2011 TMNT Live Action Movie

Posted 11 years ago by Movies

TMNT Movie

I’m excited about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live action movie planned for 2011, and to pass the time until something that qualifies as news actually comes out, I figured I’d go ahead and make my own. So, here are my casting choices for the new movie.

I love the voices of the turtles in the first film, but what are the chances of Josh Pais or Corey Feldman making a comeback? I’d say slim to none, so here are some ideas.

tmnt_guys

Leonardo: Zachary Quinto
As Seen In: Heroes, Star Trek

Leonardo is the ultimate straight-man, and has always bored me to death, even though I always pick him in the TMNT video games. Zachary played Spock, so there is no doubt he could pull off the straight-laced leader type.

Raphael: Christian Bale
As Seen In: Newsies, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Terminator Salvation

I couldn’t resist casting Christian Bale as Raphael. His scruffy voice and hot temper would be perfect for He Who Is Cool But Rude. Imagine him angrily asking a foot soldier (in the Batman voice), “Where’s the Shredder?”

Donatello: Neil Patrick Harris
As Seen In: Doogie Howser M.D., Starship Troopers, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,

Neil Patrick Harris not only is typecast as the smart guy, but he’s done some voice work too. He’s played Peter Parker and the Flash, and I think he’d be perfect as the new Donatello.

Michelangelo: Jack Black
As Seen In: A Pitfall Commercial, Mars Attacks!, School of Rock, King Kong, Kung Fu Panda

Michelangelo as a surfer dude is a cliche that must come to an end with the new TMNT movie. I don’t mind him being the funny one, but no one today relates to the surfer dude accent like they did in the 80s. The solution? Cast someone like Jack Black.

Allies

april_zooey

April O’Neil: Zooey Deschanel
As Seen In: Elf, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Surf’s Up, Tin Man

I hope they actually try to make April O’Neil more like her comic book counterpart, a smart, resourceful computer programmer. In the comics she was an assistant to Baxter Stockman until he went nuts, and then she opened her antique shop.

splinter

Splinter: Sonny Chiba
As Seen In: The Street Fighter, The Assassin, Kill Bill

I can’t really think of anyone else to voice Splinter that would be as awesome as Sonny Chiba, can you?

casey_jones

Casey Jones: Ryan Reynolds
As Seen In: Blade Trinity, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Deadpool, Green Lantern

Ryan Reynolds definitely has the smarmyness that Casey Jones has, and he’s proved that he can hold his own against Wolverine, so I can see him with a golf bag full of hockey sticks. Its safe to say that his calendar is a little full, but this is me casting the movie, not a professional, so anything goes.

The Villains

shredder

The Shredder: Ken Watanabe
As Seen In: Batman Begins, The Last Samurai, Inception

My wife thought of this when we were watching the Last Samurai the other day, and I would have married her again on the spot if I could have, because I think it’s the best choice ever. Ken can be very intimidating and intense, and he’s a little bulkier than the last dude who played Shredder, so he would be able to hold his own against the turtles in the new movie.

I really hope they make Shredder dangerous in the new film. His armor should look like something he brought over from Japan, and not like he stuck knives on some old football pads.

baxter

Baxter Stockman: Chiwetel Ejiofor
As Seen In: Amistad, Serenity, American Gangster, 2012

I was going to go with a more obvious choice like Samuel L. Jackson or Don Cheadle, but that wouldn’t be much fun, would it? Chiwetel has some acting chops, and he’s played a villain before, so why not give him a chance?

So there it is, for better or worse, my casting choices for the new TMNT movie. As far as a director, lets just say I’d be open to about anyone except Zack Snyder. I’m not a fan of his style or his movies, and I cringe when I hear people say he’s the only person that could make a good TMNT movie.

I wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Guillermo del Toro direct. He has a great imagination, and has a lot of experience with practical effects. I could see him taking on Dimension X, the Ultroms, and even Triceratrons.

Let the discussion begin, who would you want to play these characters?

  • I like your turtle picks except why couldn’t Corey Feldman come back? What else is he doing?

    • Hah, I guess I meant more like, the studio wouldn’t want him back.

  • JP

    Good choices, this would be the best TMNT movie ever! Just needs Bebop and Rocksteady, not sure who would play them.

  • I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to see it if that was the cast. I think you made the perfect choices, honestly.

    I also 100% agree about Zack Snyder. I really hope he doesn’t end up directing it.

  • I’m all for Guillermo del Toro for Producer/Makeup artist and the Director. EPIC!

  • shred

    They need to cast that OZONU character ( the founder of the clan) from ninja assasin as the new shredder.

  • shred

    This most likely wont happen, but a fight scene between Hamato Yoshi and Oroku Saki even as a flash back, that would be sick!

  • Tatsu

    Ryan Reynolds for Casey Jones!!? NO! NO! NOOOO!! Movie will fail with him as Casey Jones.

  • Jacky Boy

    Would Chris Evans be your pick Tatsu?

  • Hah, Chris Evans had his chance in the TMNT universe and I think he has enough on his plate now. Maybe we’ll see a bizzarre Captain America/TMNT crossover someday.

  • Jacky Boy

    My pick for Casey Jones would be former Power Ranger Jason David Frank.

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  • Johnny2fingers

    Sorry, but Christian Bales speech impediment would really ruin Raph, it was so hard to take him seriously as Batman. I respect him as an actor, but his voice acting just wouldn’t cut it in this film. Just my opinion. I think Jack Black has been over-exposed but I do suppose he’d make a good Michelangelo. It would be great to hear Cory Feldman’s voice as Don again. I’ll personally pay extra to see this movie if they can get him back. Casey Jones, should not be Ryan Reynolds. Sorry, but… no. I can’t think of a replacement off hand, but they can do better.

  • PAUL

    hope that if they do another tmnt movie. it will be done in 3d.the fighting scenes would look great in 3d.the 80s movie version was good for its time.now its all computer animation and better special effects.maybe have ernie reyes this time as a foot soldier.

  • rc

    tabrett bethel for april oneil

  • Mondo

    Nickelodeon will make this suck, give me quinton Tarantino, an R rating, you need a regular Voice for Leo like Gillenhal or the white guy in lakeview terrace. then give me Jake from avatar as Raphael. I like your pics for the others though. Bring Chan in to choreograph and just be brutal reality with traces of the original emotional effect like they had when Raph was In a coma. And someone more adult looking for April lots of options for that character though, and done.

  • Mondo

    Oh yea, I don’t agree with Ryan Reynolds either, Casey Jones is a dirty mechanic an older guy I’m thinking Jason stathem. But with all the talent that has been mentioned this would be a big budget film. I think the only way to surpass the original is for it to be darker and aimed at an adult audience

  • jack black as mikey lol i couldnt say more.

  • I Think

    Zachary Quinto – Leonardo.

    Neil Patrick Harris – Donatello.

    Christian Bale – Rapheal.

    Jack Black – Michangelo.

    Zooey Deschanel – April O’Neil.

    Sonny Chiba – Splinter.

    Ryan Reynolds – Casey Jones.

    Ken Watanabe – Shredder.

    Chiwetel Ejiofor – Baxter Stockman.

    Will Be Perfect for the new TMNT 2011 MOVIE Don’t you folks and directors out there agree.

  • This Guy

    Leonardo- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson / Raphael- Brad Pitt / Michelangelo- Justin Long / Donatello- Shia Lebeuff

  • Rochelle Norlund

    I got a question; Is Mona Lisa, Krang, Bebop, Rocksteady, the technodrome, and Venus DeMilo going to be in the new series?