POWER RANGERS Rounds Up Some New Stars

Power Rangers! The darling of my childhood. I used to think that show (well, all of the shows) was the shit. I quickly came to my senses, however the colourful band of teenage superheroes still hold a soft spot in my heart. That’s why I’m cautiously optimistic for the big-screen reboot, coming in January 2017; it’ll be very, very easy to fuck up, but it could also be really awesome.

That really isn’t very long away now and Variety has revealed that Lionsgate and Saban are starting to recruit some new Rangers. Naturally, you haven’t heard of any of ’em. Take a look at the current list!

Zack/Black Ranger: Daniel Zovatto, Ross Butler and Brian ‘Sene’ Marc

Jason/Red Ranger: KJ Apa, Austin Butler and Mitchell Hope

Kimberley/Pink Ranger: Naomi Scott, Stephanie Scott

They’re really going unknown with some of those names – and no, I’m not getting pictures of them all.

Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) will be directing a script from Ashley Miller and Zack Stenz (X-Men: First-Class), which is another case of a first-timer being handed the keys to a big blockbuster franchise. However, given that flick holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 34%, perhaps it won’t work out so well. But I’ll remain optimistic.

The site also notes that Lionsgate are looking to cast unknowns as the Rangers themselves and then have a famous actor as the big bad – could it be Rita? Or…

…uh, I can’t remember any of the others.

But this is exciting. Power Rangers is an awesome franchise with such an expansive world and lore behind it, so I can’t wait to see how they tackle it – will it be set in the same universe as Mighty Morphin or be a complete reboot? Either way, they better have Jason David Frank cameo, dammit!

The movie hits theaters January 13th, 2017. I’m praying it’ll be good.