The trick with any of the more out-there high concept geek properties is trying to find a way to humanize it. It appears filmmakers on the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aim to do just that with the inclusion of Vernon (Will Arnett) into the deeper aspects of the mythos.
In an entertaining interview with Zap2it, funnyman Will Arnett spoke of how he will get involved in the action side of things in this Michael Bay-produced reboot. According to the actor, he is now April O’Neil’s (Megan Fox) cameraman and will soon join forces with the Turtles.
"In this version, Vernon is April's cameraman, so they work together as opposed to being her adversary," Arnett tells Zap2it at CBS' TCA party of how Vernon differs in this movie from other versions of the character. "He's a little reluctant when she starts talking about [how] she found these vigilantes and they're turtles and all this stuff and he kinds of looks at her like she's crazy. Once the action gets going and she kind of gets in trouble, Vernon steps up and helps her and then he becomes part of it as well. He helps April help the Turtles."
Arnett goes on to briefly talk about all the action sequences he was involved in, which you can read in the above link.
This seems like a wise change because, if we’re being honest, Will Arnett needs to be in more of everything. And only the most diehards may remember the sniveling newsroom rival Vernon from the cartoon show, pictured below.
Produced by Bay, this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot is being directed by Jonathan Liebesman who directed, among other pictures, Wrath of the Titans and Battle: Los Angeles. He also worked previously with Bay and Platinum Dunes on Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.
The Turtles will return to the big screen on June 6, 2014.