Leonardo: Brenton Thwaites
While no one was exactly thrilled when Michael Bay was announced to be directing a live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, the two films he did produce actually weren’t bad, and it brought a group of lovable characters to a new generation. However, these movies didn’t get much critical acclaim. Because of its mostly negative reviews, the franchise is being granted another reboot, and I think I have pegged down the perfect cast for this go around.
Obviously the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be mostly CGI, but they still need actors that can match their personality through voice-over work, and I think Brenton Thwaites would be the perfect Leonardo. Leo is the oldest brother and team leader, and while Thwaites isn’t very old, he does strike me as the natural leader type. I think that his experience with playing Dick Grayson on Titans could help him with this role, and I would love to see such a new star get cast in a time-honored franchise.
Donatello: Grant Gustin
Most people are familiar with Grant Gustin from his role on CW’s The Flash, and it is his performance as that character that makes me think he would be the perfect Donatello. The Flash is obviously one of the most popular superheroes of all time, and because of that he is always engaged in some kind of combat.
However, Barry Allen is also a certified genius. It is Grant Gustin’s knack for scientific lingo that makes me think he could pull off Donatello, and I would love to see such a popular television star join the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.
Michelangelo: Sean William Scott
When it comes to the sporadic funny man, I don’t think anyone can do it better than Sean William Scott. Although Michelangelo is the youngest brother, I think that Scott’s voice is still suited for the lovable party animal, and he has started to branch into the action genre. I feel like he is an obvious choice for this role, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was on the short list of actors to join this movie.
Raphael: Jensen Ackles
Raphael has always been the angry, troubled brother, jockeying with Leonardo over the leadership of the Turtles. Someone who I think has the voice for a dark, angry character is Jensen Ackles. Ackles’ role as Dean on Supernatural consists of a varying array of deep growls and grunts, and that added with his uncanny talent to play characters who have chips on their shoulders is the perfect recipe for Raphael.
April O’Neil: Amy Adams
April O’Neil is the crack reporter that has befriended the Turtles, and although she often finds herself in over her head, she has always been more than capable of handling herself. While Amy Adams is one of the best and most popular actresses in Hollywood, she is just the perfect fit for April, whether or not she would sign onto the movie. I think that she would do this role much more justice than Megan Fox did, and I think that having her in the movie would make the entire project a success.
Casey Jones: Taylor Kitsch
As much as I love Stephen Amell, his interpretation of Casey Jones just sucked. He wasn’t a hothead, he wasn’t a ladies man, and he didn’t even look like the character. Taylor Kitsch, on the other hand, has the perfect look for Casey, and I think that such a talented actor would be able to channel the angry vigilante perfectly.
Splinter: Jackie Chan
Master Splinter is the wise father and sensei of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I don’t think that anyone could do that role more justice than Jackie Chan. This is a match made in heaven, with a cultural icon and real life martial arts master portraying one of the most famous fictional martial artists in popular culture. I think that Jackie Chan’s voice coming out of Master Splinter will sound oddly perfect, and I think that a star of his caliber is a perfect fit for a Ninja Turtles movie.
Shredder: Henry Golding
In all of the TMNT movies so far, Shredder has been a one-dimensional villain, with very little speaking lines and no real motive behind his actions. However, I think that casting Henry Golding in the role could change that.
Golding emerged as a huge star last year, and I think that he has what it takes to be a popular action star. He is in excellent shape, and while I don’t know if we’ve ever seen him play a character that is supposed to be as menacing as Shredder, I think that he could pull it off excellently.