Michael Bay's Ninja Turtles reboot hasn't even started filming yet, but already the project has stirred up quite a bit of controversy.
Fans were originally riled up when information leaked that the Turtles would be getting a new origin story, complete with an extraterrestrial past. While Bay and his team tried to downplay this idea in the subsequent months, the film made headlines again when it was announced that Megan Fox was reportedly cast as April O'Neil. Considering her rough history with Bay, as well as her general reputation as an actress, it was a interesting choice to say the least.
Now, we're getting word that all four turtles have been cast as well, and none of them are especially big names. Alan Ritchson, who played Aquaman on Smallville, has been chosen as Raphael. Pete Ploszek, who only has two TV parts on his resume, will play Leonardo. Jeremy Howard, best known for Galaxy Quest and How The Grinch Stole Christmas, will play Donatello. And Noel Fisherm, who recently appeared in Battle: Los Angeles, rounds out the cast as Michelangelo.
All of them will be performing via performance capture, which according to Deadline, will be aiming for a "more sophisticated Avatar-like approach" this time around. It's hard to say whether or not digital Turtles will be as charming as the original film's guys in costumes, but considering this is a Michael Bay production, it almost certainly will feature the most cutting edge technologies available.
The film will be a complete reboot of the franchise, although it remains to be seen whether it will keep the family friendly angle of the current TV series, or aim closer to the dark and gritty approach of the original comics.
Ninja Turtles is currently scheduled for a June 6, 2014 release. The villain Shredder is rumored to be the next casting announcement.