Reviews

We’re Breaking down the Mutant Mayhem cast announcement!

We may have gotten a full trailer on the night of the Kid’s Choice Awards, but each of these cast announcements has something to show us the direction of the new movie. Maybe by breaking down the Teenage Muant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem cast announcement, we can get an idea of the story and where they intend to go with each character.

Let’s take a closer look at each cast announcement title card an examine each card for hints at what we could see this summer!

The first teaser poster gives us a great look at the overall vibe for the upcoming movie! Already the movie looks very lighthearted and energetic. There’s less “doom and dark” and more “light and fun.” After watching the trailer, the artwork matches the overall art style of the movie.

A well worn skateboard, covered in stickers, with a giant green hand. Looking from the top down, this looks like Raphael’s board. The red wristband was the first giveaway. I thought “Maybe all the turtles will have red before getting individual colors,” but the sai stickers further down solidify this as Raph.

The top left side shows “Ooze,” “Ninja Turtles” and “Turtles” stickers. To the right, another “TMNT” sticker. It almost looks like the turtles got involved in branding? The left side under the trucks could show us our first glimpse at the designs of the Foot Clan/Foot Soldiers/ the Foot. It’s just a sketch, but the designs look like they could go towards traditional ninjas. The other side features some graffiti with the words “Turtle Power,” “Gnarly,” and …I think it says “reptiles?”

Below that, it looks like Raph had a few custom stickers made with his weapon of choice . Possibly another sticker to the left with the sai in a piece of cheese. Maybe a pizza thing, I’m not sure.

We don’t get a look at the weapons in the poster. We don’t see the turtle silhouettes with stark white eyes and the different color bandanas. These are all things we’ve seen before. In the 90’s, in 2007, and 2014. It may not be your preference, but I love that it’s different.

Getting in to the cast list, each of the title cards looks to give some insight to who the character is and how they will behave. Starting with Leo, the announcement shows that Leo will mostly have the same personality traits that we’ve already known. His name is etched on a training board embedded with a throwing star. Already we get the feeling that Leo will be the responsible one, focused on his training.

Mikey is written with stretchy cheese. Already letting the viewer know that Mikey will be focused on pizza and fun! As usual- Mikey is fairly one note.

Donnie is the tech guy. He does machines. It looks like the tech will be getting an upgrade this time around. It give’s hologram vibes, as well as references to math and video games. I wonder if Donnie will have any role in the creation of the Mutants or with Cynthia Utrom, but we’ll see soon!

Raph’s title card is a very familiar feeling. Yes, it gives much of the same feel as Raph from the past. But the metal form of his name reminds me of his vigilante alter-ego from the 2007 movie, Nightwatcher. I know this is an origin story of sorts (at least I think I know that) but it could be interesting to see if Raph will clash with his brothers in this version as well.

Splinter was the cast announcement I was most excited about. Jackie Chan as Master Splinter is the casting I never knew I wanted but is absolutely the casting we needed.

To me, this is showcasing how Splinter will play the role of the Father figure to the turtles. In the original trailer we saw the brothers as babies, and Splinter is the only title card with ooze dripping from it. Showing that, the eye glasses, and the coffee cup with the usual Splinter robe color draped over the “T”, I think we’re going to get a very Dad-like Splinter.

April might have more of an edge this time around. In the trailer, she’s still a reporter. She’s still wearing her classic yellow coat, just with more studs and buttons this time. This looks like a giant back patch with a Channel 4 news button?

Oh snap! Bebop and Rocksteady are in the movie AND we’ve seen what they look like?! They look almost exactly like the classic versions we know, just slightly warped.

They look like punk and hardcore kids from 90’s New York.

Bebop has the purple sunglasses and Rocksteady is still rocking the crossbody with yellow tank top. This isn’t John Cena’s first time in the TMNT universe. He played Baron Draxom in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon! And, this also isn’t Seth Rogen’s first time playing a Warthog. He played Pumbaa in the live action Lion King remake.

Sometimes, when you’re breaking down the Mutant Mayhem cast announcement, there’s nothing to break down. Just us pointing at the screen like a Leo DiCaprio meme saying “LOOK! LOOK! That’s THEM!”

I’m bunching Baxter and Superfly together.

Giancarlo Esposito will be a great Baxter! But I’m very curious about Superfly. I don’t think this will be a new character, though. I think they just gave a name to Baxter’s fly form. And having his voiced by Ice Cube will definitely add to the idea that they are 2 different characters.

It feels almost like a Jekyll and Hyde situation.

Now we’re getting in to some cinematic debuts! We’ve never seen the mutanimals or other mutants from the TMNT universe on the big screen. The 2007 movie brought us ancient monsters, but not the Mutanimals! Mondo Gecko was never really something I thought I’d be looking forward to. It looks like Mondo will be wearing…pearls? And maybe a muumuu?

An interesting choice for Wingnut! Wingnut has long been the TMNT version of Frank Miller’s Batman, so I’m interested to see what Natasia comes up with for the character! Also- not the first time she’s played a bat. This version of Wingnut will have some gadgets as well, but no signs of the sidekick mosquito, Screwloose. Yet.

This title card is pretty straightforward. It’s Leatherhead’s cinematic debut! And they’re a crocodile that smells. Voiced by a very lovely Rose Byrne. I’m here for it.

Post Malone is just deciding to be part of everything awesome I guess. It makes sense that the coolest guy on the planet gets to voice fan favorite and long awaited Ray Fillet! There’s no surprise here. But sometime’s getting what you expect is exactly what you want.

The alternate universe turtles! No word yet on if the other 3 members of the Punk Frogs will be appearing, but I love the choice to cast Hannibal Buress. The main thing I can pull from this is how the eyes look, and the battle axe weapon.

Finally, this could be the potential big bad of the movie!

The Utrom are an alien species responsible for creating the ooze that mutates the turtles, Splinter, and everyone. Yes- TCRI. Techno Cosmic research Institute. It’s a whole thing, but having them named “Cynthia” is new. The Utrom are mostly known for being associated with Kraang, but in the comics and other iterations, they are an overwhelming force. I wonder if we’ll get an onslaught of Utrom but Cynthia is the leader. Either way, it’s really exciting to see the Utrom get a wider showcase, given their importance in the Mirage comics.

That’s the what we noticed in the cast list for Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles Mutant Mayhem!

Did you notice anything we didn’t? Did you try breaking down the Mutant Mayhem cast announcement? What do you think of the casting for each character?

There are obviously a few notable missing characters. There’s no Shredder, and even with all the extra mutants- No Slash. There’s always an after credits scene!

We’re very excited for the release of the new film! Be sure to check out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem this summer! Get a small taste of the feeling this movie has by rewatching the trailer here! And stay posted here for more updates on this and all versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!