Rose Byrne is unsure whether she will return for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2. The first Mutant Mayhem, 2023’s animated adaptation of the popular comic book franchise directed by Jeff Rowe, explored the тιтular characters venturing out beyond the surface of New York’s sewers and making their names as heroes. Byrne, as part of the TMNT voice cast, portrayed the mutant alligator Leatherhead, a member of Superfly’s (Ice Cube) gang of mutated animal revolutionaries. She then returned to voice the character in the 2024 Paramount+ spinoff series, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
While attending the Sundance Film Festival to promote her new film If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You, Byrne addressed whether she could be expected to reprise her role in the in-development sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Speaking to ScreenRant‘s Grant Hermanns, Byrne admitted she’s also eager to learn whether Leatherhead will have a role, joking that she will reach out to frequent collaborator and TMNT writer Seth Rogen about the matter. She said:
I’m gonna call Seth right now. Where’s my part? I was doing a TV show version. So, I’m gonna call Seth. Where’s our favorite character? Where’s America’s favorite character? [Laughs]
What Byrne’s Response Means For Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2
The Sequel May Pivot Towards A Different Iconic Villain
Within the world of TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a production that bridges the gap between the original movie and the sequel, which is slated to release in 2026. Alongside the returns of key franchise creatives Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, and Ayo Edebiri each reprised their respective roles of Donatello, Michaelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and April O’Neil.
Within season 1, Byrne’s Leatherhead was a recurring ally to the Turtles, appearing in three episodes total; at one point, she helped the Turtles grapple with New York’s other sewer alligators. This role suggests she could have a continuing relationship with the Turtles in future projects, but Bryne’s uncertainty also hints the sequel might take a different direction. As the sequel is expected to pivot towards the rise of the Shredder and the Foot Clan, something heavily hinted at during the Mutant Mayhem post-credits scene, the sequel may be turning its attention away from the mutants.
Our Take On Leatherhead’s Potential Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 Role
Leatherhead Could Still Have A Bright Future
With both Mutant Mayhem and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles being well-received, it seems all but certain that this leg of the TMNT franchise will produce several more stories and projects. Furthermore, Byrne’s response does show that she is still open to returning to provide the voice of Leatherhead, suggesting she could reprise the role even if she does not appear in Mutant Mayhem 2.
It is still unclear what Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has in store for Leatherhead in its second season, with the series still belonging in the same canon as the movie. As such, Leatherhead’s role in season 2 could potentially determine what her presence may be in the long-awaited Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2.
