AS SUPERFLY Ice Cube

How would you describe Superfly?

ICE CUBE: Superfly is the most gorgeous creature ever known to man. I mean, as a mutant, he’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.

Superfly is an original character for this iteration of the Ninja Turtles. Can you explain how he is created in the film?

IC: Superfly is created through an experiment. His father is one of the most brilliant men ever. So he was experimenting, it went a little wrong; the police had to rush him, and it got a little mishandled. I don’t want to give too much away, but Superfly was born from that mishandling.

Were you excited when you got the call for this, and they explained to you that you were going to be playing an original character?

IC: The franchise has been around as long as I can remember, it seems like. So to be a part of it in any way, shape, or form, I knew it was a cool opportunity. I knew with Seth Rogen [on board] that it would have some that sense of life and fun is so active. There are so many comedians and incredible talent and really funny people involved on every side of the project, from writing and directing to acting, so I think people’s individual senses of humor were really allowed to shine. But also, the sense of humor of the project was really allowed to find its voice organically and in a fun way. edge to it. It would be clever, fun, and fresh. I was really excited to be able to play a supervillain. Who doesn’t want to play that in a movie?

Talk about the visual style and your impressions of it.

AE: Just seeing something that’s so distinct, authentic, and unique is always really exciting. And I think it just looks gorgeous. But, also, the way that Jeff talked about using the camera and capturing sort of a handheld feel, capturing the feel of when you watch a skate video, how the camera is very dynamic and always moving was really exciting.

What’s your own past with the Ninja Turtles?

AE: I have maybe 50 cousins, and like 40 of them are boys, so growing up, I was very well versed in Turtle culture. I actually showed Jeff and Seth my first skateboard. My skateboarding career is long over. But my first board was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles deck—it was a Michelangelo deck. So I was a big fan.

What do you think of the animation style?

IC: I think the illustrations, the animation, and the flavor of the movie are just as exciting as the story. It’s fresh. It looks amazing. We’ve seen so many animated films by now, so to see somebody take it even further and give you something even fresher than what we’ve seen already…. The style, to see the way they used lights and colors. That’s what I’m here for.

How were the voice sessions different from others you’ve done in your career?

IC: It was really about: do what you feel, and we’ll get the lines down, but we really want you to ad-lib and have personality and not just stick strictly to the script. I think that lets you loosen up. They don’t discourage anything. I think when you’re doing a voiceover, you have to show not only the director, not only the producer, but you’ve got to show the audience why they hired you.

What can you tell us about Superfly’s crew of mutants?

IC: At the end of the day, they all want to be liked, you know what I mean? They just want friends. They want it so bad they’ve gotten bitter. Usually, with a movie like this, when you have a second wave of characters coming in, they can get lost in the sauce. But here everybody made a great impression.

If Superfly could have his pick of what borough of New York City to live in, where would he live?

IC: Superfly is either a Bronx guy or a Brooklyn guy, you know what I mean.

What did you think of Jackie Chan as Splinter in the film?

IC: He’s the heart of the movie. I just wanted to hear him talk; to hear him give his philosophies on how things should be. It was perfect casting, and he brought the heart to the movie.

What do you have in common with Superfly?

IC: He’s a cool supervillain, and I’m a cool supervillain. He’s somebody that, when you get to know him, he’s probably a party animal, and you could hang out with him. I’m the same way. I think we’ve got a lot in common.