Stephen Amell is set to appear on the next TMNT film, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows."
In an interview with Screen Rant, the "Arrow" star shared details about the upcoming movie sequel and on how the production is going to fit a modern-day Casey Jones into the story.
Producer Andrew Form shared in a separate interview that they wanted to bring Casey into the first movie but felt he'd fit well once the Turtles and April (Megan Fox) were established.
According to Amell, the Casey in this film is in the early days of his vigilante career. His evolution will start when he meets with the Turtles, which will affect his motivations and how he views the world.
"Just by looking at my appearance-as opposed to what comic book fans have come to expect from Casey Jones-we are meeting Casey in this movie at a very different point," he said.
"The Casey that we met in the previous live-action films was a finished product. I'm doing a completely different job (at this point in the story) than I am by the end of the movie. So, I like it because it's very much an origin story of my character. It's certainly not the centerpiece of the movie. But for me personally, I like finding a character in a phase of discovery," Amell added.
As to how Jones will be introduced to the story, the film's screenwriter Andre Nemec said it will be "through all kinds of wonderful scenes and great action and adventure."
"He represents something that is a part of the Turtles, in terms of the vigilante status of their life," according to Nemec. "In terms of a character also trying to find his path and his way. We had, in early drafts of the movie, explored the Casey Jones character and then we let him go from the idea of the first movie. We always had it in our craw to have the Casey Jones character to be part of the Turtles franchise, and this movie is the right way to introduce him into their world."
Casting Amell for the next "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" installment is a welcome thing to many "Arrow" fans. TMNT fans also are likely to find the first trailer more in line with the animated series. Amell is joining the film's original cast members, Megan Fox and Will Arnett.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows" is slated for release on June 3, 2016.
