Bebop and Rocksteady are in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. So is Baxter Stockman. But don't get too excited yet.
NewsWe imagine you probably have rather strong feelings about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie (I didn't particularly love it, myself), but the sequel is on the way.
The Latest News
So, we've got good news, more good news, and then news that is probably not so good. We're going to ease you into this.
The first bit of good news is that it was revealed at CinemaCon earlier in the week that mutant antagonists Bebop and Rockstead are definitely in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. This makes sense, as there was some movement to have them in the first film, but it never happened. So that's cool.
The other bit of good news is that another fan favorite from the Turtles' golden age is also in this movie, making his live-action debut: that would be Baxter Stockman. Stockman was credited in the 2014 film, but we're not really sure if that was ever intended to stick. Stockman was played by K. Todd Freeman.
Anyway, this is good news, as is the fact that they've cast an African-American actor as Stockman for the second time. Stockman, a "mad scientist" type who created a horde of robotic mousers that annoyed the Turtles (and especially Splinter) was originally conceived as a black man before having his race switched for his cartoon debut (later animated series corrected this).
The bad news?
Tyler Perry is playing Baxter Stockman, which should give you an idea of the tone that they're aiming for with his characterization and perhaps the sequel in geneal. Thanks to Varietyfor the news.
The Cast
In addition to the original cast returning, Arrow's Stephen Amell will play sports-enthusiast/vigilante Casey Jones. This is nearly perfect casting.
Supermodel Allesandra Ambrosio will have a part in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. She'll be playing a love interest for Will Arnett's Vernon Fenwick, who has apparently gotten over April O'Neil. That's all we've got right now. (via THR)
But since Ambrosio was spotted with Arnett filming at a basketball game, it seems that some members of the LA Clippers squad will make cameo appearances in the film. In a chat with Grantland, the Clippers' JJ Reddick implies that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 may boast the title "Half Shell" but that might just be a working title.
The Rest
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 will begin shooting in the TMNT hometown of New York City (appropriately enough) and Buffalo, NY in April, in order to meet its June 3rd, 2016 release date.
"New York City knows how to host blockbuster films," said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (via the NY Daily News). “We welcome Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles 2 to New York City, and look forward to the many jobs this will bring to our local economy."
Dave Green is directing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. if you're of a certain age or have kids of a certain age, you might just enjoy Green's Earth to Echo. The pacing and general tone of Earth to Echo wouldn't be inconsistent with what you might want from a fun, kid-friendly TMNT movie.
Josh Applebaum and Paul Nemec are returning as writers. Jonathan Liebesman directed the first film. Green may be a rising star, as he's also slated to direct Lore, which will star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
It also looks like we're finally going to get to see Bebop and Rocksteady on the big screen. Producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form dropped the news over on The Omelette (thanks to Colliderfor getting us this), "We can say that Bebop and Rocksteady are in the film, and Casey Jones is a character that we love and we're trying to fit him in as well."
More on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 as we get it.
