Ninja Turtle fans be prepared, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out Of The Shadows" is about to hit theaters this summer. This sequel is going to be filled with action packed fun as the turtles team up with the interesting character, or should I say, vigilante Casey Jones. Who better to play this part than Stephen Amell, the man who plays the vigilante that takes over television screens across the world on The CW's hit show "Arrow", which is based on the DC Comics superhero, The Green Arrow.
What can we expect of this modern day Casey Jones? Well for starters, Jones' appearance is a bit different than the animated series. First Jones' flowing, long black hair is swapped out for Amell's short brown hair. Second, Jones' choice of weapons in the animated series is usually an array of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, a baseball bat, a golf club etc. In the modern version, Jones uses a hockey stick as his main weapon of choice, though he does have a bag with the other equipment. Finally, the biggest change to note is how the modern version of Jones is portrayed as a well put together man, who loves hockey and is living and working in New York City. Whereas in the animated series, Jones was an unmanageable teenage boy seeking revenge for his parent's death.
For many who might not be familiar with the Casey Jones origin story, it begins with the death of his parents by a member of the Purple Dragon gang. Jones' anger drove him to become the hockey stick wielding vigilante of New York City. In the animated series, Jones has a run in with Raphael, the hot head of the four turtles. This encounter first portrayed a clash of the two's personalities but eventually led to them working together. In the new TMNT movie, while it's not the main plot, Jones' origin story is introduced to the audience and presents him in a different manner than the animated series.
Although the portrayal of the modern day Casey differs from the Casey in the animated series, Stephen Amell seems like he will be able to pull off the part. Amell has had some vigilante acting experience on his hit television show "Arrow" which airs Wednesday nights on The CW. Amell plays Oliver Queen, a billionaire who was stranded on an island for five years. When Queen returns he became someone else, many call him a vigilante but he calls himself The Green Arrow.
It takes a lot for an actor to take on a role of reviving an old character from a series. Although taking on a role like this is difficult there is no doubt that Stephen Amell will do justice to this modern day version of the beloved character, Casey Jones.
You can catch Stephen Amell and the rest of the cast of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out Of The Shadows" when it hits theaters June 3, 2016.
