Why can't the use the current toon voices?

[TerranigmaFreak]

One thing I never understood was why they didn't use the voices from the original toon when they made the movies. I remember when I first saw the very first movie, they all sounded really weird to me. Of course I got over it pretty quickly and it didn't ruin the movie in any way. Heck the voices really grew on me.

I'm pretty sure the current new movie doesn't use the current voice actors either, but really, why do they do that? What is wrong with using the same actors? I'm very curious about this. I mean, I can't say if I'll like the new voices, but hearing the same voices as the toon gives it a more of a feeling of continuity. For one thing, don't you think the current cast--who by now have really grown into their roles--could do a better job cause they've been doing it longer? I don't think the new cast would suck, cause I know nothing about them. I have no reason to dislike them, and from all the info we've gotten so far, the people involve really know what they're doing. I guess I'll have to adjust.

Still, I'm very thankful that they aren't using big name actors just for the heck of it. I mean, heavens forbid they should get Tom Cruise to voice one of the turtles just so they can attache a "big name" movie star to the movie. That would be like casting Jacky Chan into the role of Sun Ce...

[Ecto Jedi]

To be quite honest with you, I'm kind of glad that they're using different voices for the film. I have nothing against the current toon voice actors, quite the contrary; I think they do a heck of a job. But having different voices for the Turtles and Splinter will really help set the movie apart from any other incarnation of the TMNT, much like the first film way back in 1990.

[TerranigmaFreak]

I don't really mind the new voices, I'm just curious as to why they use new voices.

[Mandi-chan]

I love the new toon, but to be perfectly honest...the only two voices from that show that I think are good enough to do the movies are Donnie and Leo.

Raph, Mikey, and Splinter's actors just aren't good enough in my opinion to do the job. They're fine for the new toon, but they wouldn't cut it for the movies.

[Ecto Jedi]

I love the new toon, but to be perfectly honest...the only two voices from that show that I think are good enough to do the movies are Donnie and Leo.

Bah, I never really liked Donnie's voice in the new 'toon. It always sounded more like Donatello from TMNT II: Secret of the Ooze, rather than TMNT and TMNT III. Long live Corey Feldman!

[ThemanthatwouldbeRaphael]

Bah, I never really liked Donnie's voice in the new 'toon. It always sounded more like Donatello from TMNT II: Secret of the Ooze, rather than TMNT and TMNT III. Long live Corey Feldman!

Corey Feldman was meh. Don needs to have a geeky tone to his voice. That's why I think Sam Regal makes a great Don.

[Jo Dawn]

Corey Feldman was meh. Don needs to have a geeky tone to his voice. That's why I think Sam Regal makes a great Don.

Exactly! Don does NOT 'nyuck nyuck'. That horrified me when I heard it. I love Feldman, but he's NOT Don. Ugh.

To be quite honest with you, I'm kind of glad that they're using different voices for the film. I have nothing against the current toon voice actors, quite the contrary; I think they do a heck of a job. But having different voices for the Turtles and Splinter will really help set the movie apart from any other incarnation of the TMNT, much like the first film way back in 1990.

I totally agree. I love the new toon voices, but I don't mind new voices to differentiate between the genres.

...As long as they're good. ;) :P

[Spawn Guy]

4Kids dosen't actually have anything to do with this, so why use their actors?

[Spitfire]

Because their voice actors for a TV series not movies. Their professionals but noton a Hollywood level. They can deliver good lines but they could find someone who is alot better at it. Their used to doing a cartoon for kids not a serious*Though still for kids* movie. It wouldn't have worked in my opinion. With the old movies espcially.

[Katie]

those VA guys are probably under contract...not produced by 4kids...no samey voice actors. I'm so interested to see the movie though *bounces up and down excitedly*

[Ecto Jedi]

Exactly! Don does NOT 'nyuck nyuck'. That horrified me when I heard it. I love Feldman, but he's NOT Don. Ugh.

I'll pretend you didn't say that. :P

[Space Lieutenant Josh]

I liked Corey Feldman as Don. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like of all the turtles, Don's had the least consistent voice anyway-- and also I'd say the most voice actors... although Raphael has had quite a few different voices himself, so I dunno for sure.

[Vincent]

Sure, Mike Sinterniklaas is a good Leo, 'cause he sounds just like Cam Clarke, but his acting just feels a bit forced sometimes. He sucks at being angry, for example. The "Angry Leo" voice in the first half of season 4 bothered me. As did the way he pronounced "Master Splinter" in the first episode. Don't get me wrong, I like Mike as Leo. He's got a good voice. It's just that his acting skills won't cut it in the big speakers. (Can't say "on the big screen", 'cause we won't actually see the actors.)

John "Frank Frankson" Campbell is better at being angry, but he just doesn't sound like a teenager. It's okay for the show, but he just won't pass for the movie.

Sam Riegel, I think, is an excellent Don. Probably the best one. He sounds both intelligent and nice, which is very important, because Don is nice. He cares, and he doesn't like to fight if he doesn't have to, and I think Sam does a very good job depicting that.

Wayne Grayson...what's not to love? He's perfect as Mikey, in my opinion. He sounds like a teenager, he embraces the feel of the character, and he does his own thing with the basic idea of the classic Mikey voice, without sounding like he's stuck in the past. And his acting skills aren't bad. I think he's got a great future ahead of him.

Darren Dunstan is pretty funny, and gives a good overall warm and fatherly feel to Splinter, which is great, but let's face it, he's no Mako. He doesn't even sound Japanese.

Veronica Taylor is great for the cartoon version of April O'Neal, she's a good cartoon voice actress, but I have a feeling the movie version of the character will be different, and Veronica's emotional range probably doesn't cut it for a movie anyway. Much like Sinterniklaas, she doesn't do "angry" very well (actually, she does great cartoon anger, but movie anger is probably out of her range). And she doesn't do chocked very well, either, as we all remember from the third episode. This leads me to believe that there is plenty of stuff she can't do well enough for the big speakers.

Marc Thompson is very funny as Casey Jones, but that's about it. He's a funny casey jones. He's pretty alright as a violent casey jones aswell (which is funny, 'cause Marc is apparently a minister), but mostly, he's just funny. He does give Casey a very distinctive voice, though, and I think that's a good reference for creating the movie version of Casey. They should get someone else for the movie, but they should take some inspiration from Marc's Casey voice, perhaps mix it a bit with some elements of Elias Koteas's version, and add something new. I like the idea of Casey having a thick New York accent.

Karen Neil is absolutely horrible as Karai. No offense to Karen, she may very well be quite talented, but her voice for Karai is just awful. She just sounds annoying. Karai should be an interesting character, but Karen just makes me wish she'd shut the shell up. She needs a cooler voice (in all senses of the word).

That said, I think a very good reason not to use any of these actors (including Sam and Wayne, who I personally think are pretty much perfect) in the film is because the movie is very much a separate thing from the series, and needs to sound as such.

[Masked Ninja]

^ That pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. I'd like Mikey with a bit smoother voice, but I think the new toon Don is one of the best. I like the old toon one too, but Wotsisbucket is just about dead on what I think our turtle in purple should sound like.

[wyze2099]

It made a lot of sense for the '90s movies to use different voice actors than the cartoon, because the movies depicted the characters in a noticeably different way than the cartoon. The movies were geared more toward the Mirage comic characterizations that the cartoon versions. I mean, as great as Townsend Coleman's Mikey voice was, it wouldn't quite have fit movie Mikey, who was less prone to insert "dude" and surfer Spanish into his sentences. And Rob Paulsen's Raphael performance just would not have worked with the angrier movie Raph. Cam Clarke's Leonardo might have fit movie Leo without too much difficulty, and I wouldn't have minded Barry Gordon voicing Donatello instead of Corey Feldman, but ultimately, the movie characters were noticeably different than the cartoon versions. And while it was jarring to me at first to see how different the movie versions were (I was 10 at the time), I think it ultimately would have been less confusing than if they'd used the cartoon voice actors but kept everything else different. There wouldn't have been enough of a cue that things were different.

Using the 4Kids cartoon actors in the new movie is not quite as clear-cut. From what I hear, Wayne Grayson tried out for Mikey (and/or other characters) but was unsuccessful. But the interesting thing is that the 4Kids versions of the Turtles are intentionally close to the Mirage and movie versions. In fact, the actors were actually shown the first movie as inspiration for their performances. I think it would have been great for the 4Kids cartoon actors to voice the characters in the CGI movie, but again, that might cause some people to assume that the movie is based on the cartoon version, when it's more based on the previous movies.

Personally, I think the voice actors from the previous movies should have had the right of first refusal for the CGI roles, but I don't know if that happened.

[Jester]

I have to agree with the argument that the change is good to get this it's own universe. The movie isn't the toon, so why not get new voices? I just wish we'd get some of the old movie voices back. I've never heard Mako, but I have heard Kevin Clash as Splinter, and he rocks. My biggest gripe with TMNT 3 is that he wasn't Splinter.
I do have one thing to say about Wayne as Mikey though and that's the "Show me the money, baby! Ya-hoo!" from Things Change....yarg. He's grown into the voice, as they all have, but that always makes me wince.

[Buslady]

well i was glad they didn't use the original toon voice for the movies they don't FIT those turtles, just the silly cartoony version they fit.


I kinda like the idea of them not using the 2k3 voices because the CGI movie is a little darker in tone than the toon, soooo...maybe they dont wanna have a connection to the cartoon and the movie.

I've heard tho, Raph's a mix of Josh Pais~Frank/John Campbell/Frankson,whatever his name is this week :P

[Buslady]

I liked Corey Feldman as Don. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like of all the turtles, Don's had the least consistent voice anyway-- and also I'd say the most voice actors... although Raphael has had quite a few different voices himself, so I dunno for sure.

Josh Pais1, Laurie Faso2, Tim Kelleher3 to be exact.
I thought it was funny that Matt Hill was Raph in 3, then voiced him in Next Mistake...I mean Mutation...

[Jo Dawn]

Sam Riegel, I think, is an excellent Don. Probably the best one. He sounds both intelligent and nice, which is very important, because Don is nice. He cares, and he doesn't like to fight if he doesn't have to, and I think Sam does a very good job depicting that.


Yes!! Exactly. :)

[Vincent]

Yes!! Exactly. :)
Oh, and he also sounds a bit um, affeminite, for lack of a better term, which I think is so great for the character. Not saying Don is gay or anything - they're all asexual - but it sort of gives Don this sort of warmth, which I think fits the character perfectly and is a good contrast to his somewhat menacing exterior. People look at the promo art and say "What? They've ruined the Turtles! They look so scary!" and I can just calmly say "Once you've actually seen the show, Raph will be the only scary one," because the voices are in such good contrast to the designs.

Anywho. If they'd keep one or two voices from the cartoon and change all the others, wouldn't that seem a bit weird? I just hope they find people who are just as good (or hey, even better than would be even better than just as good) as Sam and Wayne for Don and Mikey. Shell, I think I could pull off a pretty decent Mikey. Too bad I don't live anywhere near the US.

[Sage Ninja]

Ok, great topic guys. But reading every ones comments I've gotta ask because some people have made a distinction. What is the difference between cartoon emotion and big screen animated emotion? Are you saying that cartoon emotion isn't as generic sounding as movie emotion? Because some one made a distiction between Veronica Taylor's portrayal of anger in a cartoon and what it should sound like in a movie setting.

[Sage Ninja]

Sure, Mike Sinterniklaas is a good Leo, 'cause he sounds just like Cam Clarke, but his acting just feels a bit forced sometimes. He sucks at being angry, for example. The "Angry Leo" voice in the first half of season 4 bothered me. As did the way he pronounced "Master Splinter" in the first episode. Don't get me wrong, I like Mike as Leo. He's got a good voice. It's just that his acting skills won't cut it in the big speakers. (Can't say "on the big screen", 'cause we won't actually see the actors.)

I don't think Mike Sinterniklaas sounds like Cam Clarke. He is his own Leonardo. The only thing that they both have similar is the smooth and serious sounding voice that most Leo actors tend to give Leonardo's character. And I think Mike Sinterniklaas has good acting skills, I love his portrayal of New Toon Leonardo. ANd he did a good job at angry Leo in season four, I think his best angry Leo dilevery was when he chewed the guys out for not stopping the whole convoy. He would be good in the movie.

John "Frank Frankson" Campbell is better at being angry, but he just doesn't sound like a teenager. It's okay for the show, but he just won't pass for the movie.

I didn't realize Frank changed his name! He does a good Raphael, but there are times he sounds to forced to be taken seriously when he is pissed (especially in season one). He actually does sardonic humour better in my opinion. I think his voice type is better for the toon.

Sam Riegel, I think, is an excellent Don. Probably the best one. He sounds both intelligent and nice, which is very important, because Don is nice. He cares, and he doesn't like to fight if he doesn't have to, and I think Sam does a very good job depicting that.

I love Sam's voice as Don. He does a perfect geeky teenager voice. His acting is great, and he has the srot of flexiabilty that I could seem him doing different varitions to Don's character. However I think I'm the only one that thinks that Sam's Portrayal of Don isn't always nice and sweet. Sometimes Don sounds down right snotty to me, and a bit condensending. I'd love to him do movie Don!

Wayne Grayson...what's not to love? He's perfect as Mikey, in my opinion. He sounds like a teenager, he embraces the feel of the character, and he does his own thing with the basic idea of the classic Mikey voice, without sounding like he's stuck in the past. And his acting skills aren't bad. I think he's got a great future ahead of him.

Wayne is awsome as Mikey. And his acting skills are actually pretty damn good. He was an on stage actor before going to voice overs, he probably could pull off serious drama emotions and do a fantastic job on the big screen. He is also very versitale. He could so pull off dark and brooding and agnysting if given a part to do so. What he did with future Mikey in Same as it Never Was convinced me of that. Its to bad he gets type casted as doing goofy characters all the time. He couldcompete with the big Speakers alright.

Darren Dunstan is pretty funny, and gives a good overall warm and fatherly feel to Splinter, which is great, but let's face it, he's no Mako. He doesn't even sound Japanese.

he is decent. But I would like Mako's Splinter better I think.[/QUOTE]

[Vincent]

Ok, great topic guys. But reading every ones comments I've gotta ask because some people have made a distinction. What is the difference between cartoon emotion and big screen animated emotion? Are you saying that cartoon emotion isn't as generic sounding as movie emotion? Because some one made a distiction between Veronica Taylor's portrayal of anger in a cartoon and what it should sound like in a movie setting.
I believe that was me. What I meant was, Veronica does a pretty funny sort of cartoony "grr" anger that works for the TV show because the show lets itself be a bit cartoony every now and then. However, Mr. Munroe seems to be going for more "real emotion" and stuff, so cartoony emotion won't cut it.

[Spawn Guy]

I didn't realize Frank changed his name! He does a good Raphael, but there are times he sounds to forced to be taken seriously when he is pissed (especially in season one). He actually does sardonic humour better in my opinion. I think his voice type is better for the toon.
He needs to sound younger. It's like Dan Green doing Knuckles voice: It just dosen't fit if the character sounds too old.
I love Sam's voice as Don. He does a perfect geeky teenager voice. His acting is great, and he has the sort of flexibility that I could seem him doing different variations to Don's character. However I think I'm the only one that thinks that Sam's Portrayal of Don isn't always nice and sweet. Sometimes Don sounds down right snotty to me, and a bit condescending.
Only really around Mikey, but yeah, it kind of fits especially since they've all talked down to Mikey at some point. He also sounds like the nice guy of the family, well the nice sensible guy in the family considering how warm but over enthusiastic as Mike can be. I mean, his dying line in one of the toon games is "I didn't want to make any trouble for anybody." and it's actually believable.

Ultimately, since Warner Bros is doing this and not 4Kids, and there trying to establish a diffrent continuety etc...they probably have any number of reasons not to use the current voice actors. Not because they can't.

[Mandi-chan]

I mean, his dying line in one of the toon games is "I didn't want to make any trouble for anybody." and it's actually believable.

What game was that? (I'm not big on the games...but I'm curious).

[Spawn Guy]

The...second one. I think. They had Triceratons in it.

[Donatello]

i've been really wanting the new movie to get corey feldman, that first movie was perfect, and to me, feldm,an is the perfect version on don, surpassing any incarnation

[Draconic]

The voice actors are probably not good enough at what they do. No offence, and I'm not talking about "getting into character" or any of that stuff.

I'm alluding to the difference between fitting words to cartoon-animated articulation, and fitting words and sounds to the precise and highly detailed (and accurately timed) articulation found in computer-animation.

The only problem with the above is that the people that Kevin Munroe is using for the job are unknowns, which likely means inexperienced in the field. (Although they might have gone to school for it.. some very specialized school...)

My other thoughts on the matter are that the Toon VAs are too busy with the show. The movie would likely take an incredibly long time to record, in comparison to any cartoon hour-and-a-half, because of the extreme attention to detail that they are catering to. I'm supposing that the VAs are taking numerous takes... And because all four turtle VAs are in the same room, if one of them messes up, they'll all have to start over, (If I understand the concept correctly,) thus lengthening the process.

And finally, Correy Feldman FTW. He might not have been a "Donatello," but he made one hell of a turtle.

[Jo Dawn]

i've been really wanting the new movie to get corey feldman, that first movie was perfect, and to me, feldm,an is the perfect version on don, surpassing any incarnation

Not to argue with you. I'm highly curious as to why you think Feldman was a superior Donatello...? I find this to be a facinating discussion.

[TerranigmaFreak]

Using the 4Kids cartoon actors in the new movie is not quite as clear-cut. From what I hear, Wayne Grayson tried out for Mikey (and/or other characters) but was unsuccessful. But the interesting thing is that the 4Kids versions of the Turtles are intentionally close to the Mirage and movie versions. In fact, the actors were actually shown the first movie as inspiration for their performances. I think it would have been great for the 4Kids cartoon actors to voice the characters in the CGI movie, but again, that might cause some people to assume that the movie is based on the cartoon version, when it's more based on the previous movies.

Yeah, that's what I think as well. I can understand the original movie being different from the original toon, but the current show is basically going in the same direction as the movie. I don't see how using the same actors will cause people to assume that the movie in based on the current show... well, not really. For one thing, the movie will make referrences to the previous movies, so if you saw them, you'd know. If the audience watching the new movie never seen the old ones, they'd still think it's based on the current toon even if they had different voices.

It's a shame to hear that Wayne didn't make the cut, but if this info is true, then I guess it has nothing to do with them being actors on 4Kids.

As for the Hollywood level part... I don't know about you, but I can list tons of great "Hollywood talent" that's not up to TV level...

[Donatello]

Not to argue with you. I'm highly curious as to why you think Feldman was a superior Donatello...? I find this to be a facinating discussion.


because, donatello has, is and will always be my favorite, and i've weighed them all out, and feldman i liked best.

He had the smart side of donnie (though minor) with his tinkering and automobile fixing with casey. which i honestly believe is better to have that be somewhat more grounded, than for him to have vast knowledge and resources that he could not have. It was always a bit unreal to have him build hover crafts, space ships, inter-dimensional transports, and any other space-age equipment. they did just enough in that movie to aknowledge his intelligence.

Next, they showed his sensitive side "you ever think what it would be like? y'know, not havin' him?" which is the core of Donatello as far as i'm concerned.

there has always been a leo-raph link, as the main source of drama, and i always thought it was appropriate to have mikey and don to have a different kind of bond, as on the sidelines of the drama "Pork Rind? Pork Rind."

He wasn't too nerdy. The comic always had him as smart (in vol 1) and sensitive, but he was not a total nerd. the only flaw that i saw with the vol 1 don (which is a close second in my eyes) is he seems to me that he could have been a bit more light hearted at times.

And what made corey's don unique was the humor. i like don to have a sense of humor. and i've heard the criticism that he was more like mike, which is bogus. Mike's humor came from his natural sweet nature and childishness. but Don was completely different, if you gave his funny lines to mike, it would not have worked. his jokes were more about wit "maybe he doesn't realize that we're the good guys" and "don't worry, i came prepared" i honestly believe giving him a razor wit is just as clear a way to show intelligence as building a space ship is.

As for the stooge references, i loved em. the stooges are very difficult to reference, for some reason, when i see it it done by someone other than the stooges (like on the simpsons, or 3rd Rock, or even stooge impersonators) it comes off as annoying, and forced, but Donnie's refernces were subtle, and pretty sharp, and to me were quite funny because it was so played down, and to me it just seemed like Don was a stooges fan so far to the extent that he worked some of the curly traits into his everyday personality, and were not forced at all.

so, there it is

[Jo Dawn]

Hmm... Well, obviously, this is an 'agree to disagree' situation, which I thought it was from the start, heh.

Donatello always has been and will always be MY favorite, also... But I absolutely hated the Movie 1 representation of him (waaaay more than just his voice, mind you!). I love Corey Feldman, but I just didn't like his voice. I never thought it 'fit'. This is where we disagree, because we both have very different thoughts on Don and his personality and how it is shown to us, I suppose. Not a bad thing, but very interesting! :) I always felt that the humor was all wrong for Don and that his intelligence would have been better served shown in a more in-character way. Humor does not equal intellignce in Don's case, for me. I felt his intelligence was highly underplayed, and, really... I felt it was almost totally ignored!

Really, if you think about it... Not knowing Don, you don't really get who he is from the first movie.

Feldman's voice is my third favorite, I think, preceding the original cartoon's voice but being beat out by my number One and Two favorites: New Cartoon Don and Movie 2 incarnation.

I never felt Don was well represented in the first movie. I thought he was TOO 'funny'. And let it be known that I LOVE the Stooges; I just thought on was not a good outlet for that kind of humor. I was absolutely horrified as a young person, seeing Movie One and hearing the 'nyuck nyucks' come from Don's mouth.

I just felt that Feldman's voice had too much of an 'edge' to it for Don. He's soft spoken by nature, not smarmy.

I dunno... I just felt it wasn't in character for Don... But that's all neither here nor there. It makes for a facianting discussion!! If you would like to further discuss, I love to see people's thoughts and impressions on these such things!

Of course, I respect your opinion! Different strokes for ifferent folks! It's what makes the world go 'round. :)

[Masked Ninja]

I agree that Don is pretty much the coolest when he's being Mr. Fixit and Strategist instead of Mr. I-Build-Spaceships. I don't mind the latter, but keeping him to more realistic hobbies grounds the story a little more, so it has a more "real" feel to it. I know that Playmates needs toy revenue, so I deal with the Big Machines in the show, but my favorite part of TMNT is when they fight punks on the street and Don fixes trucks.

But I think I agree with Jo in that my mind's image (sound?) of Don would have him be soft-spoken and a pretty laid-back guy. He could crack jokes and do the "razor wit" thing - but not playing it up with his voice. You know, the kind of thing where you'd hear what he said, and then laugh when your brain processed what the words meant... because he wouldn't put the "I'm being funny" tone in his voice when he said it.

[Draconic]

I too, love the more reality-grounded, movie-turtles than the classic toon, or new toon, multi-dimensional, outer-spacial, retarded stuff that couldn't happen.

I liked the fact that Don actually sounded like a teenager in TMNT1 and 3, and not like some 20-year old college professor. Build a walkie-talkie? Sure, I'll bite. Fix a car? Yea, I'm sure he could do that. Build a nuclear rocket-powered skateboard with interdimensional portal-making abilities, and optional sun-roof? I think not.

But back to the voices... I can't help but feel that anybody who is truly soft-spoken would have a tough time killing people, which something that most ninjas do. I mean, how can he get "super-pissed off and flip out and kill people?"

I also always thought that the humor was more used as a means of Don communicating with Mikey, and having a brotherly relationship. Look at Spicolli from "Fast Times," and tell me he'd hang out with a geek, even if it was his own brother. Likely not. And I've always been inclined to think that Spicolli was a large character basis for Michelangelo.

[Donatello]

You know, the kind of thing where you'd hear what he said, and then laugh when your brain processed what the words meant... because he wouldn't put the "I'm being funny" tone in his voice when he said it.

i honestly thought his jokes were in that style, the marshmallow line i didn't quite get when i was a kid, and i love the line "maybe someone should tell him that we're the good guys" it's a great sleeper joke

[Spawn Guy]

Yeah, that's what I think as well. I can understand the original movie being different from the original toon, but the current show is basically going in the same direction as the movie. I don't see how using the same actors will cause people to assume that the movie in based on the current show... well, not really. For one thing, the movie will make referrences to the previous movies, so if you saw them, you'd know. If the audience watching the new movie never seen the old ones, they'd still think it's based on the current toon even if they had different voices.

Maybe, maybe not. Maybe the movie is set in the old movie verse the same way Superman Returns might be set in the old movie continuity. Maybe they just want to make a totally separate continuity and using voices from one particular version might not be the best way to make something that looks new sound new.
It's a shame to hear that Wayne didn't make the cut, but if this info is true, then I guess it has nothing to do with them being actors on 4Kids.

As for the Hollywood level part... I don't know, about you, but I can list tons of great "Hollywood talent" that's not up to TV level...
Agreed.

[TerranigmaFreak]

Donatello always has been and will always be MY favorite, also... But I absolutely hated the Movie 1 representation of him (waaaay more than just his voice, mind you!). I love Corey Feldman, but I just didn't like his voice. I never thought it 'fit'.

Yeah, Don's voice definitely bothers me. Corey Feldman's voice didn't sound like a teenager to me, either. While I'm not going to comment too much about Don's personality, I thought the voice didn't fit either Jo or Donatello's (the forum member) interputation of Don's personality. He sounds kind of like... a lowlife hoodlum IMO. There's a hint of deviousness to his voice as well. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

[Donatello]

does anyone have any idea what laird thought about the feldman donatello?

[Jo Dawn]

Not sure! But that's an excellent question. Now I want to know! Hehe...


..oh, and the marshmallow scene? I always hated that as a young person. I thought it was so... not 'Don' to do something like that. It was callous and... so... ugh, hehe.

But I'd love to hear from Laird on his preference as to voices. Or even just his thoughts.

[Sage Ninja]

It's a shame to hear that Wayne didn't make the cut, but if this info is true, then I guess it has nothing to do with them being actors on 4Kids.

Actually Wayne Grayson has made it clear on a few occasions that the fact that the toon voices aren't going to be allowed to do the movie is a sore subject for them for the TMNT toon cast. What I find a bit astonishing is the fact that fans keep asking Wayne about his opinion on the movie and it voice actors even after he's said this a few times. He of course always politley repeats that he and the others aren't to thrilled about it but they keep asking. It makes me cringe with embarrassement a bit when ever I see another post asking Wayne about the subject and see him post back with the same reply just worded differently. I wish some fans would be a little more sensative. :-?

As for the Hollywood level part... I don't know about you, but I can list tons of great "Hollywood talent" that's not up to TV level...

I agree with you on that. Some Hollywood level actors sound really wooden when they do voice overs, and they really bring nothing to the character other than a voice. Voice overs are a sepret entity to normal acting and seriously not every one can just get behind the mike and deliver. Its more than just reading your lines. And voice overs do not get the respect it deserves.

I was watching The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride and I seriously thought Neve Cambelle performance as adult Kiara was pretty mediocore (spelling), She really didn't bring much to the character and she was pretty meh. She didn't give any real personality or presence to her character and I thought most of her dilveries stunk. Especially when she was acting off of the guy that voiced Kovu (I can't remeber his name), whos performance far out classed Neve Cambelle. And he is an actor that does a lot of voice overs AND HE IS AWSOME! So just because you get some one that works in movies and hollywood doesn't mean you are getting top notch when it comes to animation acting. Go with the actors that have some back ground in voice overs instead of ones that have been in big movies.

[Spawn Guy]

It makes me cringe with embarrassement a bit when ever I see another post asking Wayne about the subject and see him post back with the same reply just worded differently. I wish some fans would be a little more sensative. :-?
Probably because not all fans know that. I, for example, had no idea about this until you made that point.
I was watching The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride and I seriously thought Neve Cambelle performance as adult Kiara was pretty mediocore (spelling),
Lion King 2 was mediocre for a lot of reasons.
She really didn't bring much to the character and she was pretty meh. She didn't give any real personality or presence to her character and I thought most of her dilveries stunk. Especially when she was acting off of the guy that voiced Kovu (I can't remeber his name)
Jason Marsden.
, whos performance far out classed Neve Cambelle. And he is an actor that does a lot of voice overs AND HE IS AWSOME! So just because you get some one that works in movies and hollywood doesn't mean you are getting top notch when it comes to animation acting. Go with the actors that have some back ground in voice overs instead of ones that have been in big movies.
Testify!

[Sage Ninja]

Originally Posted by Sage Ninja
It makes me cringe with embarrassement a bit when ever I see another post asking Wayne about the subject and see him post back with the same reply just worded differently. I wish some fans would be a little more sensative.

Probably because not all fans know that. I, for example, had no idea about this until you made that point.

This site where fans could talk to Wayne Grayson was on the old ninja turtles network forum. It had its own section called Talk to a Turtle and you could post wuestions to Wayne Grayson and he would come in and post a reply. Unfortunalty it doesn't seem to exsist any more and its gone along with the section to talk to Wayne. But any way, on there several people asked questions and he was asked that particaulr question ore than once.

But hey in that same vein about the voices for the new Movie qwho thinks Jason Marsden would do an awsome Michelangelo? I think he would do a good job as Mikey if he where to voice him. Or do you think they'll get Robbie Rist back to do Movie Mikey. I think he was the most consistent TMNT movie voice actor of the four.

[Warhorse]

because, donatello has, is and will always be my favorite, and i've weighed them all out, and feldman i liked best.

He had the smart side of donnie (though minor) with his tinkering and automobile fixing with casey. which i honestly believe is better to have that be somewhat more grounded, than for him to have vast knowledge and resources that he could not have. It was always a bit unreal to have him build hover crafts, space ships, inter-dimensional transports, and any other space-age equipment. they did just enough in that movie to aknowledge his intelligence.

Next, they showed his sensitive side "you ever think what it would be like? y'know, not havin' him?" which is the core of Donatello as far as i'm concerned.

there has always been a leo-raph link, as the main source of drama, and i always thought it was appropriate to have mikey and don to have a different kind of bond, as on the sidelines of the drama "Pork Rind? Pork Rind."

He wasn't too nerdy. The comic always had him as smart (in vol 1) and sensitive, but he was not a total nerd. the only flaw that i saw with the vol 1 don (which is a close second in my eyes) is he seems to me that he could have been a bit more light hearted at times.

And what made corey's don unique was the humor. i like don to have a sense of humor. and i've heard the criticism that he was more like mike, which is bogus. Mike's humor came from his natural sweet nature and childishness. but Don was completely different, if you gave his funny lines to mike, it would not have worked. his jokes were more about wit "maybe he doesn't realize that we're the good guys" and "don't worry, i came prepared" i honestly believe giving him a razor wit is just as clear a way to show intelligence as building a space ship is.

As for the stooge references, i loved em. the stooges are very difficult to reference, for some reason, when i see it it done by someone other than the stooges (like on the simpsons, or 3rd Rock, or even stooge impersonators) it comes off as annoying, and forced, but Donnie's refernces were subtle, and pretty sharp, and to me were quite funny because it was so played down, and to me it just seemed like Don was a stooges fan so far to the extent that he worked some of the curly traits into his everyday personality, and were not forced at all.

so, there it is

I agree with a lot you said. Mind you, I never read the comics. But Corey Feldman's Donatello was absolutely hilarious! And the three stooges gimmick was a trip, and hit the spot perfectly. It was like one of those opposites things. And inteligent individual able to pull off something as simple as a stooge sound bite.

[Ecto Jedi]

I agree with a lot you said. Mind you, I never read the comics. But Corey Feldman's Donatello was absolutely hilarious! And the three stooges gimmick was a trip, and hit the spot perfectly. It was like one of those opposites things. And inteligent individual able to pull off something as simple as a stooge sound bite.

Feldman's version of Donatello has always been my favourite, namely because it's the coolest incarnation of the character. Don's voice in TMNT II was a poor substitute.

[Mandi-chan]

But hey in that same vein about the voices for the new Movie qwho thinks Jason Marsden would do an awsome Michelangelo? I think he would do a good job as Mikey if he where to voice him. Or do you think they'll get Robbie Rist back to do Movie Mikey. I think he was the most consistent TMNT movie voice actor of the four.

I think Jason could pull it off, he's a fantastic voice actor!

I'd be so happy if Robbie came back for the role, because he was the best!

[Warhorse]

I liked Corey Feldman as Don. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like of all the turtles, Don's had the least consistent voice anyway-- and also I'd say the most voice actors... although Raphael has had quite a few different voices himself, so I dunno for sure.


Well, if I'm not mistaken, I think Raph had different actors voicing him and doing the stunt work in all three movies. But in the first movie, he was the only turtle that was talked for and stunt worked for by the same actor.

I also heard rumors that all the stunt doubles had cameos in the movie. I do know that the passenger in the cab that hit Raph, who said "What the heck was that?", was the guy who played Raph.

I also believe the pizza delivery man and the leader of the club did the other stunt works for the turtles, but I cant recall who was the forth.

[ThemanthatwouldbeRaphael]

I think Jason could pull it off, he's a fantastic voice actor!

I'd be so happy if Robbie came back for the role, because he was the best!

Greg Cripes(aka Beast Boy in Teen Titans) would be an awesome Mikey.

[Mandi-chan]

Greg Cripes(aka Beast Boy in Teen Titans) would be an awesome Mikey.

Ugh! I liked him as Beast Boy...but I'd hate to hear Mikey sound like that!

[Leonardo_Warrior_Turtle]

I really want the movie's voices to be different from 2k3's voices. The reason being is it's in a different universe than the cartoon series. Plus, new voices would do the Turtles good. Something fresh and new.

[comet_an_me]

i agree with havin different voices to the cartoon as much as i love donatello. what i wana no soon is who is doin the voices for the new voices? im going mad :evil:

[NightwatchersOnlygirl]

Frank Frankson should do Raphael's voice in the movie

[Radical Rat]

I agree with everyone who said Robbie Rist for Mikey! :-)
And Corey Feldman is definately the best Donatello.

[ThemanthatwouldbeRaphael]

Frank Frankson should do Raphael's voice in the movie

I would like to see either Steve Blum or Scott McNiel do the voice of Raph.

[Dr. Doom]

I think I need to just sort of reaffirm this statement every now and then.

Corey Feldman sucks. Worst Donatello ever. -=Leaves the thread never to return=-

[Sage Ninja]

Barry Gordon and Sam Regal forever!!! No one else can voice the purple masked turtle like they do!

As for voices, this is what i want:

Michaelangelo: Jason Marsden, Jeff bennent, or Robbie Rist

Leonardo: Steve Blum

Donatello: Phil Lamar or Billy West

Raphael: Jois Pais, Richard Cox, Scott McNiel, or Steve Blum

[ThemanthatwouldbeRaphael]

Barry Gordon and Sam Regal forever!!! No one else can voice the purple masked turtle like they do!

As for voices, this is what i want:

Michaelangelo: Jason Marsden, Jeff bennent, or Robbie Rist

Leonardo: Steve Blum

Donatello: Phil Lamar or Billy West

Raphael: Jois Pais, Richard Cox, Scott McNiel, or Steve Blum

I gotta agree with just about everything. Jeff would make a perfect Mikey. Phil and Billy would both be great Don's. I'm all for Steve Blum as Raph, but for Leo, I'd go with Jason Mardsen.

[Spawn Guy]

I'd be intrested in seeing what Brian Drummond or Will Friedle could do with Raph. Marsden is an intresting choice foe Leo, although latley I've been imagineing him sounding like Rino Romano (The Batman).

[Sage Ninja]

I'm all for Steve Blum as Raph, but for Leo, I'd go with Jason Mardsen.

After seeing what he did as Haku on the dubb of Spirited Away I think Jason Mardsen could pull over a Leonardo. But i'm used to hearing him voice rambuctious teenagers and disrespectful cocky guys, like Max from A Goofy Movie or Garret from Extreme Ghost Busters and such, that I think he'd make a better Mikey than Leo. I don't know I think he'd give better performance with Mikey's character.

And I'd rather hear Steve Blum as Leonardo, I keep thinking Spike from Cowboy Bebop when i think of him which is sort of like a Leonardo type character, rather Mugen from Samuri Champloo which is what people of thinking of when they think Steve Blum as Raphael.

[Ramboraph4life aka Matt]

I think the voice actors will be celebrities, although they wouldn't be quote "A-list" actors. I say this only because it is a major CGI film and most major CGI films have pretty famous actors/actresses in the cast (like Mako which has been confirmed for this film.)
Like Over the Hedge had Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, William Shatner, Eugene Levy, etc. Or The Wild which had Kiefer Sutherland, Jim Belushi, Janeane Garofalo, etc. Open Season had Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Gary Sinese, etc. Anyway, all of these actors wouldn't be considered "A-list", but famous none the less.
Anyway, my whole point is I wouldn't be surprised if the cast list had celebrities in it...so I'm pretty prepared for that.

[Sage Ninja]

that makes my blood pressure go up. Honestly I don't know why CGI films always have to get celberities. Because seriuosly it seems like a cheap sell out. That they are pimping the celberities just so people will go see it. And you usually comes as a distraction from the actual film and more of a "oh wow, so-in-so is in this film" ugh :x

[Ramboraph4life aka Matt]

I think the main reason for celebrities is to "sell the movie"....now am i saying that is a GOOD reason, not really. But the bottom line for a major studio (like Warner Brothers) is money.
Like when Paramount kept making friday the 13th films (which i'm huge fan of)...they hated them but they kept making them for one reason...they made money.
And this CGI film is costing millions of dollars for them...so I think they're gonna want some celebrities in it to at least sell it for a big opening weekend if nothing else.
Like I said...is it a GOOD reason?? No...but it is a Hollywood reason.

[The Master Meglomaniac]

They mean Hollywood level in terms of quality, not star power. The TMNT voice cast is okay, but the voice acting in BTAS, Gargoyles and Avatar is better. The best VAs are in LA, no offense to Darren Dustin, but I think Mako would make a better a Splinter, because he was actually Japanese.

[ThemanthatwouldbeRaphael]

I highly doubt they would use any celebrities(not even D-list). Because they said it before, they want voice actors because when they portray their roles, your hearing the character, and not some big name celeb pretending to be a character.

To sage ninja, Jason does do alot of Teengae roles, but keep this in mind, isn't Leo technically a teenager. Besides, I heard how he did Chase Young in Xiaolin Showdown. They guy can do strong roles. But he'd also be a good canidate for Mikey, hell, have him do both Leo and Mikey. He can do it.

For Raph, Steve Blum is either got to be Steve Blum or Scott McNeil. Their both extremley talented. And can do the tough guy roles.

For Donatello, the more I think about it, maybe they could get Barry Gordon to come back to voice acting, and take up the role of his old character.

They mean Hollywood level in terms of quality, not star power. The TMNT voice cast is okay, but the voice acting in BTAS, Gargoyles and Avatar is better. The best VAs are in LA, no offense to Darren Dustin, but I think Mako would make a better a Splinter, because he was actually Japanese.

I'd say the TMNT voice cast is really right up there on their level. Because for most characters like the Turtles, Casey, Splinter, Shredder, Bishop, Leatherhead. You really get into the roles and are just convinced by the preformances.

To me, Michael Sinterniklaas is to Leo what Kevin Conroy and Keith David were to Batman and Goliath.