Credit: Inside The MagicGina Carano is the perfect choice for a TMNT character.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, which has been churning out content nonstop since 1984, is set to get its first-ever R-rated installment with the upcoming live-action adaptation of the hugely popular “The Last Ronin” comic book series from IDW Publishing.
Since its arrival in 2020, “The Last Ronin” has made waves within the TMNT fandom and wider comic book community.
Set in a dystopian future unconnected to the main IDW timeline, it follows Michelangelo as he seeks vengeance on behalf of his three fallen brothers, Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello.
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The five-part miniseries became so popular that it has since been followed up by a series titled “The Lost Years” and the recently completed “Re-Evolution” storyline, which centers on a new set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles several years after Michelangelo dies in battle.
A video game adaptation is now also in the works. While we know little about either project, it has been confirmed that the film is 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.
However, no director is attached (The Conjuring‘s James Wan is rumored) and no cast members have been announced. With that said, TMNT enthusiasts (ourselves included) have been busy fan-casting actors into the project, namely into the role of Michelangelo.
Related: R-Rated TMNT Movie May Cast Keanu Reeves as Lead Ninja Turtle
But he isn’t the only lead character in “The Last Ronin” series — the story also centers on Casey Marie Jones, the daughter of April O’Neil and Casey Jones.
Trained in combat by Michelangelo, Casey Marie goes on to become the leader of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Odyn, Yi, Moja, and Uno, in the “Re-Evolution” series.
Throughout “Re-Evolution,” Casey Marie is adorned with a modified version of the hockey mask her vigilante father once wore as she leads her new Turtle team into war, while the fate of New York City hangs in the balance.
One of the most startling things about the armor-clad Casey Marie in the comic is that she bears a striking resemblance to Gina Carano, of Star Wars fame.
Related: Will One of These Actresses Play April O’Neil In the Live-Action ‘Ninja Turtles’ Reboot?!
Will Gina Carano Appear in the TMNT Reboot?
Carano, 43, is best known for playing the tough-as-boots ex-shock trooper Cara Dune in the live-action Disney+ television series, The Mandalorian (2019). She became an instant fan-favorite and went on to appear as a regular character in the first two seasons of the show.
However, in February 2021, she was fired by Disney Lucasfilm for a string of social media posts they deemed offensive. Fortunately, though, Carano is still working in the entertainment business.
As for the lawsuit, “Gina Carano v. The Walt Disney Company, Lucasfilm LTD. LLC, and Huckleberry Industries (U.S.) Inc.” was set to begin on September 25, but earlier this month, it was reported that Carano and Disney had settled their dispute.
Either way, between her Star Wars history and the fact she’s a former MMA fighter (mixed martial artist), Gina Carano would be well-suited to the role of Casey Marie in The Last Ronin film. Whether or not Paramount Pictures will set their sights on the talented star for the role remains to be seen. But who wouldn’t want to see her go into battle alongside a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?
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!