The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise (TMNT) is about to go darker than ever with the upcoming live-action R-rated reboot based on “The Last Ronin” comic book series.
While we know very little about the project other than the source material, we know that it’s being produced by former DC Films head Walter Hamada through his 18hz company, with Tyler Burton Smith (2019’s Child’s Play) penning the screenplay.
The story of “The Last Ronin” centers on Michelangelo as he sets out to avenge the deaths of his brothers, Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello, his father, Splinter, and best friend, Casey Jones. However, it isn’t just about the action—it’s about loss, vengeance, and the emotional toll of fighting when there’s no one left to fight for.
But if the movie is to do justice to the comic’s raw and gritty storyline, it will need a cast that can carry its weight. Enter Gina Carano, the actress best known for her role as Cara Dune in The Mandalorian. Carano is the perfect fit for the character of Casey Marie Jones.
Carano, with her real-life background as a mixed martial artist (MMA) fighter, has the kind of presence that could anchor such a heavy narrative. She’s already shown she can handle both action-packed scenes and nuanced character work as Cara Dune, and a role in the TMNT reboot as Casey Marie Jones would allow her to show off both sides.
For those unfamiliar, Casey Marie is the daughter of the well-known TMNT characters, April O’Neil and Casey Jones. In “The Last Ronin,” she’s trained by Michelangelo, and in the ongoing follow-up series, “Re-Evolution”, she’s training four new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Odyn, Yi, Moja, and Uno, to become the protectors of New York City.
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If that still doesn’t paint a strong-enough picture of her, a new exclusive preview of the upcoming “Re-Evolution” finale (#5) from CBR.com shows Casey Marie gearing up for an explosive final battle against a dangerous enemy on the streets of New York City.
Needless to say, Casey Marie takes on a challenging role that requires both physical and emotional strength, qualities Carano has proven time and again in her acting career.
Not only would Carano bring credibility to the action, but she could also bring vulnerability that would add depth to Casey, in the same way she made The Mandalorian‘s Cara Dune both tough and tender at the same time.
TMNT has always been a franchise that’s evolved over time, but this darker reboot is a chance for the film to break away from some of the safer, predictable casting choices that have worked in the past. Carano would be a bold choice, but also an exciting one—injecting something new into a story that has plenty of emotional weight behind it.
While no casting announcements have been made, Gina Carano should definitely be considered for a role. Her strength, her experience in action roles, and her ability to convey emotional depth make her a natural fit for a complex character like Casey Marie.
Being cast in a franchise like TMNT could also help relaunch Carano’s career after her shocking exit from The Mandalorian in 2021, when she was famously fired by Lucasfilm after sharing a controversial social media post. While the star continues to work in the entertainment industry, her projects are nowhere near as high-status as Star Wars.
“Re-Evolution” #5 goes on sale April 27. There’s no release date for The Last Ronin film or the game.
Would you like to see Cara Dune portray Casey Marie in The Last Ronin film? Let us know in the comments down below!
