Much as he managed to bring a level of mainstream attention and superfan credibility to films like Star Trek and Gone Girl—fringe projects that otherwise would’ve died on the vine from their total lack of Tyler Perry—Tyler Perry is now saving another little indie movie from oblivion. Variety reports that the inexplicable multihyphenate has joined the cast of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, joining returning cast members Megan Fox and Will Arnett.
The man best known for creating and starring as the sass-talking Madea will join the cast as scientist Baxter Stockman, a role that historically has not required cross-dressing or crude stereotypes, so it’s unclear what angle Perry will bring to it. And while the plot for the sequel hasn’t been revealed, in the comics and TV series Stockman is the creator of the Mousers, machines programmed to hunt and kill sewer rats. It’s possible the film may recycle a prior storyline in which Shredder hires Stockman to use the Mousers to attack Splinter. It’s also possible, now that Perry is playing the role, that Shredder will hire Stockman to cuss out women who make progressive life choices or espouse 21st-century values. Production on the film is scheduled to start next month.