April O'Neil, a reporter for Channel 3 News Elias Koteas as Casey Jones, a streetwise vigilante and former ice hockey player who becomes an ally of the turtles Jay Patterson as Charles Pennington, April's boss Michael Turney as Danny Pennington, Charles's teenage son Raymond Serra as Sterns, the Chief of New York City Police Department James Saito as Oroku Saki / The Shredder, the leader of a network of runaways-turned-thieves and the main antagonist of the film Toshishiro Obata as Master Tatsu, Shredder's second-in-command Sam Rockwell as Head Thug, an unmasked gang member Skeet Ulrich and Scott Wolf appear as unnamed members of the Foot Clan, in uncredited roles. Voice cast Brian Tochi as Leonardo, the leader of the Turtles and the closest to Splinter Josh Pais as Raphael, the rebellious and angry Turtle Corey Feldman as Donatello, the brains of the Turtles Robbie Rist as Michelangelo, the youngest Turtle, a fun-loving partier Kevin Clash as Splinter, the Turtles' master David McCharen as Oroku Saki / The Shredder Michael McConnohie as Master Tatsu Puppeteers David Forman as Leonardo (in-suit performer) Martin P. Robinson as Leonardo (facial assistant) Leif Tilden as Donatello (in-suit performer) David Rudman as Donatello (facial assistant) Ernie Reyes Jr. as Donatello (in-suit martial arts stunt double) Reggie Barnes as Donatello (in-suit skateboarding double) Josh Pais as Raphael (in-suit performer) David Greenaway as Raphael (facial assistant) Kenn Troum as Raphael (in-suit martial arts stunt double) Michelan Sisti as Michaelangelo (in-suit performer) Mak Wilson as Michelangelo (facial assistant) Kevin Clash as Splinter (puppeteer) Rickey Boyd as Splinter (facial assistant) Robert Tygner as Splinter (assistant puppeteer) All four actors who played the in-suit turtles also appeared in cameos, with David Forman (Leonardo) as a gang member, Michelan Sisti (Michaelangelo) as a pizza delivery man, Leif Tilden (Donatello) as a messenger of The Foot and Josh Pais (Raphael) as a passenger in a taxi. Pais was the only actor to portray a Turtle on screen and also provide his voice. Production The script is based mainly on the early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics, including the stories of the turtles' origins, rooftop battle, sojourn to the farmhouse, and battle with Shredder. Elements were taken from the 1980s animated series, such as the Turtles' colored bandanas and love of pizza, elements of Michelangelo's character, and April O'Neil as a television reporter instead of a lab assistant. The film's budget was $13.5 million.