Lord Of The Rings Actor Sean Astin To Voice Raphael In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

With the new CG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set to premiere on Nickelodeon in 2012, some well-known actors have been pulled on board to voice the anthropomorphized fighting turtles. The latest is Sean Astin, perhaps best known as Samwise Gamgee in the “Lord of the Rings” films, who will be voicing Raphael.

The other three main characters have also been cast, with Jason Biggs of “American Pie” fame as Leonardo, Greg Cipes (Beast Boy in “Teen Titans) as Michelangelo, and longtime voice actor Rob Paulsen (“Pinky and the Brain” and “Animaniacs”) as Donatello. Ironically, Paulsen voiced Raphael in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series that ran from 1987 to 1996.

In an official press release, Astin said, “I’m excited to be joining the ranks of the newest ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ team. This franchise and these characters are beloved around the world, and I’m proud to be the next Raphael. I plan to bring the kind of passion and dedication to the role that TMNT fans have the right to expect.”

Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group, also gave her praise. “We’re thrilled to have such a talented group of actors to voice the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ in this new series. This cast will bring great humor and intensity to our new action comedy take on the band of turtle brothers.”

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