STACK NZ Jan-Feb #59

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(L-R) Michelangelo, Leonardo, April (Megan Fox), Raphael, Donatello.

Will Arnett is best known for his work on TV comedies such as Arrested Development but relished the chance to take on a more action-oriented role in the reboot of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES.

What’s it like to be acting with these guys that have all these suits on? You mean the turtles? You are staring at guys with ping-pong balls and an antenna on their head. It’s strange at first, but you get used to having to use your imagination. It’s a good exercise for an actor. It is something you have to get used to for sure. Were you worried at all about the fans that have been following the NinjaTurtles since the 80s. I can see how hardcore fans want to make sure that we held up the legacy of the original comic strip. We are all taking this very seriously. We wanted to stay true to the story that the turtles are still the same characters. The action looks great, and that’s really cool. Did it surprise you that Megan Fox scored the starring female lead in this film? Megan and I had worked together before. I knew Megan. She’s great for the part of April. She’s a very smart woman, and it’s perfect for April in this movie. She is always looking for a good story, she

Who do you play in this movie? WILL ARNETT: I play Vernon Fenwick. He’s a videographer and the photographer for Megan Fox’s character April O’Neil. He’s been around a lot. He’s been in a couple hot zones. And now he’s pretty much over it. He just wants an easy job. She challenges him. When she first realizes there are all these vigilantes around, she is asking him whether he wants to get involved. And he says ‘No’ because he’s quite happy with his job the way it’s been going. I end up helping her out in the end. What drew you to this project? In my house these turtles have always been a hit. The second I come home, my kids ask me if I can play Shredder. So, for me this is a 24- hour a day job right now. There is no escaping the turtles. That’s why I had to do it when this came up.

and the turtles to fight the evil guy.

This is a pretty physical part for you and a little different than what you normally do, right? Yes, this was a departure for me. I used to joke with a friend of mine who created Arrested Development . I told him that I would love to do something a little more physical. And then I am in a movie where I am fighting with ten guys after the first take; I was really exhausted. But then you get the hang of it, and it’s really addicting after a while. Is there room for you to use your improv talent? Yes, there is an atmosphere to just find stuff in the moment. The producers wanted that from me. Again, I think the audience almost expects that today. They want everything to look very fresh and in the moment.

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is out now

wants to help. That’s a little bit how Megan is in real life. Megan

is a gamer. And she likes the physical part of this movie. She claims she could be a stunt person, actually. Do you plan on doing more action movies now? Definitely. As long as I have access to ice and Advil, I will continue with the Action genre. I’ve done a lot of comedy, which is all about the jokes and the script. And action is just a different way for me to express myself.

In the original book,Vernon is actually quite a mean guy. In this movie, however, he’s not that bad of a guy.Would you agree? Yes, that’s true. We took some liberties in this movie with Vernon. He’s not a jerk. He’s a good guy. He’s a little bit like Han Solo in this film. Although I really don’t want to draw those comparisons. Now, you can write that Will Arnett thinks he’s Han Solo. Oh, I am in trouble now. At the end of the day, he wants to help April

Will Arnett as Vernon Fenwick in Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles .

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