Three-time Oscar nominee Laura Linney, who has largely strayed from big-budget franchises throughout her career, has signed on for a role in Paramount's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. No details were given for what role she is playing, but the actress, who is a new mother to a one-year-old, is said to be more open towards projects geared at younger audiences. It's possible that she could be playing the mother of Megan Fox's April O'Neil, but that is only speculation at this point, since very little is known about the story.

Will Arnett and William Fichtner will reprise their roles from last year's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as April O'Neil's cameraman Vern Fenwick and the villainous Eric Sacks. New cast members include Stephen Amell as Casey Jones, Tyler Perry as Baxter Stockman, Brian Tee as the new Shredder and supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio playing herself, the love interest for Vern Fenwick. While they haven't been officially confirmed, Alan Ritchson (Raphael), Noel Fisher (Michelangelo), Pete Ploszek (Leonardo) and Jeremy Howard (Donatello) are expected to be back as the heroes in a half-shell.

Production is currently under way in New York City, under the direction of Dave Green (Earth to Echo). Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec are writing the screenplay, with Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Bradley Fuller and Andrew Form producing. Laura Linney most recently starred in Hyde Park on Hudson and The Fifth Estate, and she will next be seen in Mr. Holmes.