Will Arnett talks about his role as Vernon Fenwick

[TigerClaw]

a new interview with Will Arnett talking about his role as Vernon Fenwick in the new TMNT movie.
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/07/will-arnett-on-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-vernon-becomes-part-of-the-team.html

"In this version, Vernon is April's cameraman, so they work together as opposed to being her adversary. He's a little reluctant when she starts talking about [how] she found these vigilantes and they're turtles and all this stuff and he kinds of looks at her like she's crazy. Once the action gets going and she kind of gets in trouble, Vernon steps up and helps her and then he becomes part of it as well. He helps April help the Turtles."

"There's some really great action sequences that I'm super psyched for people to see. They were really fun to shoot; very physically demanding. Very exciting."

"It's been kind of a crazy last year for me for sure. We shot the pilot [for 'The Millers'] and for the last sort of three and a half months have been working on the 'Turtles' movie. I just wrapped, and again, that's another sort of gearshift. It's much more of an action movie. Michael Bay's producing that, so of course it's a whole fantastic, big, great action-packed film. I had such a blast doing that and doing something a little doing that too. I'm not going to say I'm an action star, but it was fun being in it."
Seems like this version of Vernon is different from the original series since he was usually April's rival as well as the cameraman. In this version, Hes helping April help the Turtles, So it looks like hes in on the action too.

[NYShell]

a new interview with Will Arnett talking about his role as Vernon Fenwick in the new TMNT movie.
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/07/will-arnett-on-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-vernon-becomes-part-of-the-team.html


Seems like this version of Vernon is different from the original series since he was usually April's rival as well as the cameraman. In this version, Hes helping April help the Turtles, So it looks like hes in on the action too.

I've never cared for any of the cartoon Turtle characters, but this version of Vernon doesn't trouble me too much. Looking forward to it. (but not white Shredder and Splinter etc)

[MikeandRaph87]

So he is not a self-serviving coward,but an indirect associate of the Ninja Turtles? That is fine. I am sure he will do well in the role. The role did not seem to be much perhaps its a bit bigger of a role than I though it it was something that required 14 weeks of his time. Fox is the one of concern since she seems limited in acting talent.

Has it been said beyond the fact she has a role in the film what Abby Elliott will be doing? Considering it was just a pic from arriving on set for one particular day.

[Powder]

As ridiculous as my thoughts are, I would approve of this much more if he were dressed like Vernon was in the toon. :trazz: Really it's because they seem to have completely re-written his character, based on what we know so far, which in turn makes the character expendable. It could have been Casey or someone else instead. Oh well.

[chrisdude]

By using Vernon instead of Casey, they don't have to give him a backstory, they don't have to work in his vigilante thing... If it were Casey, he'd have to be Casey, and everyone would be judging him. Vernon's just the camera man. He don't need to be set up. The turtles do, April does, Shredder does, and Casey would be one more...

Man, I'm still impressed by the first movie, when I think back on it. They managed to do so much.

[MastahShredder]

By using Vernon instead of Casey, they don't have to give him a backstory, they don't have to work in his vigilante thing... If it were Casey, he'd have to be Casey, and everyone would be judging him. Vernon's just the camera man. He don't need to be set up. The turtles do, April does, Shredder does, and Casey would be one more...

Man, I'm still impressed by the first movie, when I think back on it. They managed to do so much.

I will forever love the first for it's darkness. Shredder was no joke.

nVCq0DffE_4

"There will be no mistake this time, I go myself. And the rat, kill it"

Still gives me goosebumps.

[Coola Yagami]

I hope this doesn't turn out to be 'The Adventures of Vernon and April.... occassionaly cameo-ing the Turtles'.

[TheJ-manTurtleMan]

I hope this doesn't turn out to be 'The Adventures of Vernon and April.... occassionaly cameo-ing the Turtles'.

For me this is really the main big thing I'm most concerned about. I really like everything else that we've seen so far, ie: the size of the turtles, the new turtle van, Fox as April, etc... But this bothers me, and I'll be really disappointed if go that route.

[TigerClaw]

There is another interview with Will Arnett talking about his character of Vernon Fenwick which has a little more details.
http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/543825-exclusive-will-arnett-describes-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-changes
“He’s a character who’s in the comic and in the Turtles mythology,” Arnett said. “He’s sort of a lesser character. He’s a cameraman who in the comics has a more adversarial relationship with April O’Neil, Megan Fox’s character, but for our purposes, Vernon is still a cameraman who’s helping April, works with her. He’s her cameraman and he’s kind of a solo artist. He does his own thing and as April starts to try to figure out who these vigilantes are, who these turtles are and gets involved in the story, she recruits Vernon.”

“He’s reluctant at first,” Arnett continued. “He just wants to get his paycheck and do the easy job and eventually he comes through and starts helping her and goes along for the ride in helping the turtles vanquish the Shredder.”

“The action is very real and feels [like] we’re used to seeing through the Bourne movies, action that feels really real and hard hitting, like ooh, that looks like it hurt type stuff, and we do that.”

[Toby Barrett]

Heh. He thinks Vernon is a comic character.

[Cure]

He's in the Archie comics, isn't he?

[TigerClaw]

He's in the Archie comics, isn't he?
he was called Vernon Brindle in one comic.

[Jester]

Heh. He thinks Vernon is a comic character.
But...But...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/Jesterangelo/2c25d155-ef5d-4030-ab13-21952e6cae83.jpg

He's in the Archie comics, isn't he?

he was called Vernon Brindle in one comic.
Yes and No.
His name is Vernon Prinole.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/Jesterangelo/ad08475f-8f22-461e-898c-1c6ff196c265.jpg

[Galactus]

Oh dear. :ohwell:

Like I've said before I doubt anyone involved knows much about TMNT and I doubt anyone is handing him any material to research a part like Vernon.

Arnett is probably just going off a brief description someone gave him. Not his fault. He's just an actor.

[NYShell]

Man, I'm still impressed by the first movie, when I think back on it. They managed to do so much.

I will forever love the first for it's darkness. Shredder was no joke.

nVCq0DffE_4

"There will be no mistake this time, I go myself. And the rat, kill it"

Still gives me goosebumps.

That's why the first movie is one of the best iterations of the Turtles. No doubt. This was the best Turtles movie and one of the best comic to film adaptations of all time. This is the tone, feel, look, and direction that the Turtles franchise should always stick with. This is how the Turtles franchise needs to be.

[BubblyShell22]

Honestly, I would rather Vernon be April's adversary than to be directly involved in her search for the Turtles as it would just seem more realistic. I know they wanted a different take, but I think Vernon being a jerk would have been better.

[CyberCubed]

They probably should have just used Irma since she's April's friend.

[pingclang]

To me it just looks like they basically made him Vernon in name only. Some bread crumbs to throw to us veteran fans. Seems like most films based on comics and the like are doing this.

[Raphaeline]

yes I hope as well the movie won't be "The adventures of Megan Fox and friends"... the turtles should be the true heroes.

[Crabfight]

To me it just looks like they basically made him Vernon in name only. Some bread crumbs to throw to us veteran fans. Seems like most films based on comics and the like are doing this.

I dunno. Arnett keeps saying that Vernon is "reluctant at first" so maybe they've kept intact the more spineless aspects of his personality?

[CyberCubed]

Vernon will probably hate the Turtles. Therefore he won't be out or character.

[Raphaeline]

Yes, he can help April help them without liking the turtles...

[Coola Yagami]

Vernon will probably hate the Turtles. Therefore he won't be out or character.

For all we know, Vernon might be the first one to shake their hand. He sounds like Vernon in name only.

[TigerClaw]

For all we know, Vernon might be the first one to shake their hand. He sounds like Vernon in name only.
Yeah, It sounds like Vernon in name only, Kind of like Sam Witwicky in the Transformers movies, a character from the old cartoons, But the movie version using the same name and nothing like the cartoon version.

[Galactus]

It's not like Vernon was an important or a big fan favourite character so I don't think changing him is that big of a deal.

I generaly judge based on the context but I often support the idea of using an established character if there's suitable role. Of course it seems this version sounds so drasticaly different they may as well have created another. I strikes me if they needed a male ally an actual main character and fan favourite like Casey Jones would have undeniably been a better pick. (Then again maybe we should count ourselves lucky they're not using him)

I suppose in the first season Vernon wasn't characterised like he would be in the rest of the series. He was pretty nondescript and basicaly just the voice of the news crew. He was no more cowardly than the rest of them and actualy did seemingly support April in covering the turtles story. Maybe that's the basis for this version...or perhaps I'm giving them way too much credit. Given what Arnett says I probably am.

[Powder]

It's not like Vernon was an important or a big fan favourite character so I don't think changing him is that big of a deal.


Just the same, there's no point in using a character in name only. It's not like it's a cool easter egg or something. Either make a new character or be faithful to the one you're using.

[FlogginMcMurryZombiePizza]

By using Vernon instead of Casey, they don't have to give him a backstory, they don't have to work in his vigilante thing... If it were Casey, he'd have to be Casey, and everyone would be judging him. Vernon's just the camera man. He don't need to be set up. The turtles do, April does, Shredder does, and Casey would be one more...

Man, I'm still impressed by the first movie, when I think back on it. They managed to do so much.

I will forever love the first for it's darkness. Shredder was no joke.

nVCq0DffE_4

"There will be no mistake this time, I go myself. And the rat, kill it"

Still gives me goosebumps.

I love the first movie.
My friend loves the sequel and can't imagine why I love the original so much. He pointed out it was darker. I had never considered it, but maybe it is why I love it so much. Always have.
It's real. As real as any TMNT has ever been, in my opinion.

I dunno. Arnett keeps saying that Vernon is "reluctant at first" so maybe they've kept intact the more spineless aspects of his personality?
As long as he never finds his spine.
He better not ever be that guy who pulls through at the end.
But hey, at the same time, I imagine he would be that guy.

Just the same, there's no point in using a character in name only. It's not like it's a cool easter egg or something. Either make a new character or be faithful to the one you're using.
I'll agree here.
I get a kick out of easter eggs. Especially movies like Wreck-It Ralph which was a tribute, in many ways, to games we grew up on and love.
It's exciting to see that stuff. Even the "East warehouse on Lairdman Island" is a fun easter egg in the original movie.
Having the Channel 6 crew in the new movie...? Eeehhh... It was never a problem to me that they weren't in the previous movies so it's not like I'm all "FINALLY!!" over this.

[Toby Barrett]

Vernon gets the girl at the end. The entire movie focuses on his struggle and quest to get into April's pants.

[pingclang]

I dunno. Arnett keeps saying that Vernon is "reluctant at first" so maybe they've kept intact the more spineless aspects of his personality?

"Reluctant at first" just confirms it since that sort of tells me he'll get over himself and help which is very anti- Vernon. I'm not complaining, I never liked or cared about Vernon so he's just another name in the film, they could at least give him the prick qualities that kind of defined him. That said, he could be an interesting character since it isn't out yet.

[TigerClaw]

I forgot to post this other bit of stuff from Will Arnett about the new TMNT
http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/543825-exclusive-will-arnett-describes-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-changes

He talks about Vernon, much the same as the other interviews. But he mention some interesting stuff regarding the action in the movie.
“The action is very real and feels [like] we’re used to seeing through the Bourne movies, action that feels really real and hard hitting, like ooh, that looks like it hurt type stuff, and we do that.”
If the action is like the Bourne movies, I really hope we don't have any shaky cam during the fights, The Bourne movies are notorious for having lots of shaking cam during the action scenes.

[Konchadunga]

I would love to see Vernon grow some balls and do something cool in the end. Key phrase; in the end. It would actually be quite a twist to take a character everyone looked down their shorter noses at, recreate his idiocy at first, and then develop him. If they just make him a competent, good guy to begin with, though, then that's just dull. Also, even if he has a lot of great character development, that won't be worth it if he takes too much time away from the Turtles.

[sgtfbomb]

If the action is like the Bourne movies, I really hope we don't have any shaky cam during the fights, The Bourne movies are notorious for having lots of shaking cam during the action scenes.

Yeah, I hate that too. The idea is that it's supposed to make the action feel kinetic, but all it does is give me a headache. I don't mind the documentary style cinematography, when it's kept on a leash, but, man, you watch some of these movies, and it's like the cameraman is having a seizure.

[TigerClaw]

Yeah, I hate that too. The idea is that it's supposed to make the action feel kinetic, but all it does is give me a headache. I don't mind the documentary style cinematography, when it's kept on a leash, but, man, you watch some of these movies, and it's like the cameraman is having a seizure.
I recall how they wanted to shoot the action scenes like the movie The Raid Redeption, And if you watch some of those clips. There is no shaky cam shots. But it all looks real and brutal.