AlthoughTMNTis one of the more forgottenTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtleadaptations, it features a perfectly cast Chris Evans as Casey Jones, which makes it worth a watch. Released in 2007,TMNTfollows the turtles shortly after the defeat of the Shredder, the main antagonist to the turtles in the franchise. In the animated movie, Chris Evans voices Casey Jones, April’s boyfriend and an ally to the turtles.
Even thoughTMNTnever got the sequel it deserved, it is a great standalone movie that features aspects of previousTMNTadaptations. Evans' Casey Jones, in particular, is heavily inspired by the Casey voiced by Marc Thompson in the 2003 animated series and Pat Fraley in the 1987TMNTmovie.Chris Evans' history in the superhero genreespecially adds to the significance of his casting in the 2007 version.
Chris Evans As Casey Jones Was One Of Many Great Things About TMNT (2007)
Casey Was One Of Many Chris Evans Comic Book Roles
WhileTMNTwas not well received by critics, it had an excellent story and cast. The movie featured big names like Patrick Stewart, Sarah Michelle Prinze, and Chris Evans.The plot ofTMNTwas also more maturethan previous adaptions of the comics. A major aspect of the plot was focused on reuniting the teenage mutant ninja turtles after they drifted apart following the defeat of the Shredder inTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III.TMNTis a great stand-alone movie about the franchise, but it also works as a sequel to the final part of the trilogy from the 1990s.
Evans' role as Casey is significant because he and April help the turtles as they learn to work together again and defeat the ancient evil villains that threaten the world inTMNT. Evans does a great job at playing a supporting role. At times,he acts like an older brother to the turtlesin a heartwarming gesture. Given when the film was released, and Evans' affection for superhero movies, he also would have been a great casting choice for a live-action version of Casey Jones.
TMNT’s Scrapped Sequels Would Have Been Wild (Including Evil Michelangelo)
The Sequels Would Have Referenced The Original Comics
According toAnimated Views,TMNT’s director Kevin Munroe had originally planned to makeTMNTa trilogy. The possibility of a sequel was set up in the movie when Splinter looks at his wall of mementos that include references to infamousTMNTvillains, including the Shredder, Mousers, and Triceratons.The mementos also confirmed thatTMNT(2007)is set within the generalTMNTuniverseand exists alongside the first three live-actionTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesmovies.
The movie would have included the Technodrome as well in an intense adaption of theTMNTcomics that had not been seen before.
Munroe had big plans for the possibleTMNTsequels.One idea included basingTMNT2 on theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"City At War" comic, where Michelangelo joins the Foot Clan and risks turning evil. The third installment ofTMNTwould have featured the return of the Triceratons. The movie would have included the Technodrome as well in an intense adaption of theTMNTcomicsthat had not been seen before. Unfortunately, plans forTMNTsequels fell through.
Why Casey Jones Isn’t In TMNT Mutant Mayhem
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem included several well-known characters from TMNT’s long history, but Casey Jones is nowhere to be found.
Even thoughTMNTnever received its deserved sequels, it was a welcome addition to the franchise.TMNTstill featured incredible scenes and succeeded in establishing continuity with its predecessors, which is a big feat for theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesuniverse. While TMNT (2007) never got a sequel, the Turtles were going to return to the big screen seven years later, this time in live-action.
9 Years After Chris Evans’ Voice Role, Stephen Amell Played Casey Jones In Live-Action
Years after Evans voiced Casey, Stephen Amell took over the role in the live-actionTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadowsin 2016. The movie was a sequel to theMichael Bay-producedTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,which was released in 2014 as the first live-actionTMNTmovie to feature motion-capture technology. While Amell plays the same role,his version of Casey is a little different from Evans'.
TheTMNTfranchise is not known for its efforts at continuity, so the discrepancies between the movies are not surprising.
InTMNT, Casey and April are in a relationship from the start of the movie, whereas they meet for the first time inTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. In the latter, Casey also acts as an officer-turned-vigilante. By contrast, inTMNT, Casey’s vocation is not a main focus in the movie. Amell’s version of the character remains the most recent theatrical appearance of Casey Jones since he did not show up inMutant Mayhem.
TMNT
Cast
TMNT is a 2007 animated film that follows the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael reunite to combat a mysterious evil threatening New York City. Voiced by an ensemble cast including James Arnold Taylor and Nolan North, the film explores themes of brotherhood and teamwork as the turtles face both personal and external challenges. Directed by Kevin Munroe, it serves as a standalone entry in the franchise.
