In Turtle land

How did you then become a part of the franchise and how excited were you to be a part of the film?

I knew the makers were planning to make a new live action movie about the turtles because there had been talk about it for years. I was keen to be a part of the project, so I fought really hard for it. I have never been so excited to be a part of something before, and this film has rekindled memories of my childhood.

Of the four Ninja Turtles, which one is your favourite?

Michelangelo. When you are a little girl you can kind of have a crush on cartoon characters, as ridiculous as it may sound. Mikey was also my favourite because he brought comedic relief to the group and he was the one that never took anything too seriously. As an adult I can see that his personality in a way echoes my father’s, so maybe I was also taken to him for that reason.

You play the journalist April O’Neil in the movie. What kind of a woman is she?

When you first meet her, she seems to be one of those interviewers you see on the red carpet doing fluff pieces for her network, but she aspires to do some good, serious work. So, you see she is unhappy and trying to find a real story to break through.

How does she achieve that breakthrough?

Her life changes when she meets the turtles and the Foot Clan, and becomes deeply involved with the story, to the point where she has to ask herself to what extent she wants to tell it and gain fame as a journalist or protect and stay true to this new family she has become a part of during that process.

You worked with Michael Bay on the first two Transformers movies— Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen— and other films with special effects before. How was Teenage Mutant…. different?

The large explosions and stunts on this film were on a lower scale than on Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, also the way I interacted with the turtles was different to how I did with the giant robots.
In Teenage Mutant… I was interacting with actors playing turtles through motion capture technology instead of giant robots that were never really there. Also, having a dialogue with someone that is physically in front of you saying his lines changes everything you do and just makes it easier.

How different are the Ninja Turtles as compared to the ones you grew up with?

I feel they are pretty similar. They are maybe not as campy as in the cartoons, but they are pretty true to the original comics and movies. People want to see the turtles they grew up with, and ours are just as funny and ridiculous. I think the fans will be very happy.

Is there a lot of comedy in the film?

Oh yes, there is a lot of that brotherly teasing and comedy in our movie with the turtles. It’s appropriate for children and never too dark.

How physically demanding was this role for you?

I did quite a lot of action. There is an enormous choreographed scene with Will Arnett fighting the Foot Clan, which we only learned about an hour before we faced the camera. That scene was crazy and chaotic, but very exciting.

How is Jonathan Liebesman as a director?

What I love about Jonathan is that above all he wants to make a good movie and is always willing to listen to other people’s opinions. So we worked like a team. And I also love his self-deprecating sense of humour!

How was the experience working with Whoopi Goldberg who plays your boss in the film?

She is amazing, has such good karma and is just a very special human being. Whoopi is one of those people that opens you up as an actor and makes you feel great in the scene. I feel I was able to be so much better with her beside me.

And then Will Arnett is April’s inseparable cameraman.

I was excited for him to come on board because I am a big Arrested Development fan. He has a lot of big laughs in the movie too, and it was just nice to have someone next to me who is also a parent and in that sense has the same priorities that I have now.

Have you ever had a pet turtle?

I have never had one at home, but when I go to Hawaii there is this sea turtle I always visit that I have named Franklin. I know who he is because he has this oozy left eye.

Why do you believe these Ninja Turtles are so popular and loved?

I believe that each one of them is based on our temperament, so this way we can all see ourselves in one of them. I don’t know if this formula was intentional or an accident, but it is perfect to draw everyone in. Of course, Michelangelo is the one I identify with the most, although Leonardo can be a little melancholic and I have a bit of that in my personality too, though he represents the part of me I don’t want to explore.

And they are fun…

Yes, which helps release that inner child we all possess, even if we try to repress it. This way you are a kid again when you watch the turtles without having to make excuses.