Paramount has pulled a one-two punch today that will no doubt please ardent fans of the half shell heroes. Not only has filming kicked off on the sequel’s New York set, but the studio has confirmed via Variety that The Wolverine star Brian Tee has joined the project as the villainous Shredder for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2.
He’ll star opposite fellow newcomer Stephen Amell in David Green’s 2016 sequel – the Arrow fan favorite steps into the shoes of Casey Jones – with Michael Bay once again returning to produce under his Platinum Dunes company. To mark the beginning of production in the Big Apple, both Green and Amell took time to share some snaps from the set, showcasing an early glimpse of Megan Fox returning as April O’Neil. Focus intently enough and you’ll notice that the returning actress is holding a vial of some sort. Could this be a sample of the toxic ooze that created the titular heroes in the first place?
stephen e megan no set de #TMNT2pic.twitter.com/kUDxMvPfYe
— kevin (@stephamell) April 28, 2015
Despite opening to divisive reviews, the 2014 reboot scored an impressive haul at the box office, bringing in a total of $485 million worldwide and effectively ensuring that the chances of a sequel were set in stone. Undoubtedly, Paramount will hope to continue Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles beyond Green’s upcoming follow-up, though that largely hinges on whether or not audiences take to TMNT 2 and those aforementioned new cast members.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 will bow on June 3, 2016.
