The new villains of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Stephen Farrelly (better known as WWE Superstar Sheamus) and Gary Anthony Williams hit it off “right away.” They hung out together on set and off, instantly playing off one another. As fan-favorite characters Rocksteady and Bebop, they act as comic relief, as well as action stars in the movie.
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“I’m not funny,” Sheamus told Comicbook.com in an interview. “In his contract, he can’t be funny,” Williams immediately deadpanned. The latter was hesitant to audition for a “big tough guy” until he heard they were looking for comedy. Sheamus, a lifelong fan of TMNT who grew up with the original cartoon, actually showed up to the audition with his mohawk shaped into a Rhino horn. Seriously.
The pair said they had fun doing improv during the film.
“Not even always second take improv, sometimes they’d let us do first take improv,” Williams said. “It was so easy,” Sheamus said of playing off his co-star.
Of course, the pair think there’s “so much more to go with these characters” after a “great introduction,” said Farrelly. “We’ve just touched the surface. As much fun as we had, I already feel like there’s so much more to go.” Williams said the comedy balancing the action is what he likes. “In the comics, later, it goes dark,” he said, and seemed unsure whether that was a direction he’d like to go with it.
Sheamus is just glad they got to play the real mutant villains.
“I remember being so disappointed,” he said of Tokka and Rahzar’s appearance in Secret of the Ooze, the original “Turtles 2.” “It’s like Christmas and instead of Santa Claus some guy named Jerry shows up,” Williams said. For the record, they can take ’em. “One Brogue kick can take the two of them,” said Sheamus, referencing his WWE finishing move.
For fans that enjoy Farrelly’s first go on the big screen, he did, too, calling it an “amazing” experience that he’d love to do again. His intense schedule with the WWE was worked around by the cast and crew.
“I love WWE, it’s my passion, it’s all I ever wanted to do. To do that, and squeeze something like this in again when I have time, I’d love it,” the wrestler and actor said.
You need to watch the video to get the full idea of what these two’s dynamic is really like, listen to Sheamus talk about carrying around the Money in the Bank briefcase on the set of TMNT 2 (both moments hit his life at the same time).
Oh, and for a Turtles 3?
Williams said, “Really hope we do [get to do it]. We haven’t had a true showdown between the Turtles and Rocksteady and Bebop. More toe to toe there.” “Really a lot more of them, more interaction with the Turtles,” Farrelly seconded. “I want to know what happens when they’re at full power,” Williams concluded.
You can catch the first appearance of Rocksteady and Bebop on the big screen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows in theaters June 3, 2016.
