Will Arnett seems intent on dominating both the big and small screens at the moment. Though his most recent US sitcom, Up All Night, has come to a rather abrupt halt, he’s using his available time to work on a new pilot and has just snagged a role in** Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles**.
The controversial Jonathan Liebesman take on the ‘80s characters (which is being produced by Michael Bay) already has Megan Fox aboard as turtle pal reporter April O’Neil and Alan Ritchson, Pete Ploszek, Jeremy Howard and Noel Fisher slipping into performance capture suits to play heroes in a half-shell Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael.
As for Arnett, his role is being kept secret, though according to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s not playing Casey Jones. We don’t see him as turtle sensei Splinter and, growly voice aside, we’re not sure he’s the right physical pick for their nemesis, Shredder.
Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec wrote the script, which is largely under wraps, but plays with the turtles’ origins. Paramount has locked down a June 6, 2014 release date across the pond.
Arnett will be back on the small screen in the new Arrested Development episodes on Netflix this May. He’s also doing voice work on indie ‘toon The Nut Job and marketing megalith The Lego Movie, in which he’ll play Batman.