When it was announced that the Ninja Turtles would be getting their first-ever R-rated film adaptation based on the wildly popular “TMNT: The Last Ronin” comic book series, fans immediately began speculating on who would bring the remaining Turtle to life.
The story, set in a bleak, dystopian future, follows Michelangelo as the sole survivor of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and embarks on a one-way mission to avenge the deaths of his brothers, Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello, and father, Master Splinter.
Since the announcement, excitement has only grown for this darker, more mature take on the franchise. The film, produced by former DC Films head Walter Hamada with a screenplay by Tyler Burton Smith (2023’s Boy Kills World), remains shrouded in mystery.
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Paramount Pictures has yet to confirm details such as who’s directing, and how the Turtles will be brought to life on screen. Will the beloved costumes from the earlier live-action movies will be used, or motion capture like the Michael Bay-production reboots?
Either way, one key aspect that’s been circulating among fans is casting.
While Tom Waltz, co-writer of “TMNT: The Last Ronin,” has expressed interest in bringing back Judith Hoag as April O’Neil—a decision that would make the new film a sequel of sorts to the 1990 classic—it’s the casting of Michelangelo that sparks the most excitement.
While names like Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings, 2005’s King Kong) and Shamon Brown Jr. (who voiced Michelangelo in 2023’s Mutant Mayhem) have come up, there’s one actor who seems to be the frontrunner in fans’ eyes: Keanu Reeves.
The 60-year-old actor, best known for The Matrix and John Wick, has made a name for himself in action roles, and his martial arts training makes him a natural fit for Michelangelo’s grittier, battle-hardened character in TMNT: The Last Ronin.
Beyond his physicality, Reeves is an iconic actor who effortlessly brings coolness and charisma to every role. Whether he’s playing Ted Logan in Bill and Ted or his more serious roles in John Wick, Reeves’ ability to balance intensity with a laid-back, charismatic attitude would fit Michelangelo’s transformation from a fun-loving jokester to a seasoned, vengeful warrior.
Reeves also brings a gravitas to his voice, which has been noted in his portrayal of Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. His gruff yet stoic demeanor would lend itself perfectly to voicing Michelangelo as a hardened, older hero.
Given that The Last Ronin is expected to cast an actor who can both voice and physically portray the character, it’s easy to see why some fans are rallying behind Reeves for the role.
As of now, there’s no official release date for TMNT: The Last Ronin, but one thing is clear—if Keanu Reeves is chosen for Michelangelo, it would be a perfect match of star power, experience, and martial arts prowess.
Would you be excited to see Keanu take on the role of Michelangelo, or do you have another actor in mind?
