Recently, the official Power Rangers film Twitter account broke the news that Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") will play Zordon. Cranston will square off against Elizabeth Banks, who plays the film's antagonist, Rita Repulsa. Among these two titans are a team of unknowns cast as the "teenagers with attitude."
Bryan Cranston cast as Zordon.
Growing up in the 90s, there were plenty of phenomenons such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pokemon, Stone Cold Steve Austin, but there was something monstrous about Power Rangers. A good chunk of my childhood can be summed up to arguing with neighborhood kids over who got to pretend to be the Green Ranger (or White).
Elizabeth Banks cast as Rita Repulsa.
There is definitely excitement about this attempt to adapt one of the most popular childhood properties to the big screen. Personally, I'm torn about the subject of this movie. Ten years ago, fourteen-year-old me was telling people someday I'd helm a Power Rangers film. Most people laughed. I always believed it'd happen even if I wasn't in the director's chair. I filled notebooks, reimagining Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. Films like "Transformers" (2007), "Pacific Rim" (2013), and the YouTube fan film, "Power Rangers: Deboot" (2015) showed me that the public is ready for this film. Technology is at a state for visual effects to enhance a filmmaker's narrative. But it still comes down to the story.
Power Rangers 2017 Poster.
Does this film has the right story? I can't say, but I'm sure Hollywood has pieced together a film that will feel very much like something the public will expect from the "machine." I hope it succeeds only because I'm a product of the 90s. Stories like these were ones I wanted to expand on and help aid in a new era of fans.
Starting from writing treatments in notebooks to sketching concept art, to studying the original series and 1995 film trying to build on the rich mythology that Saban created in 1993. I even turned in script assignments in college that were based on my adaptation. This film has always had life to me.
Concept art of my Power Rangers.
People laughed in 2006, but we're on the verge of a Power Rangers film being released in 2017. I will no doubt be there to see it (good or bad) because I hope it'll capture a feeling of nostalgia that Power Rangers gave me as a kid. I believed I could be a Ranger in the same way I believed I could be Batman, a NFL QB, or WWF Champion (Kid version me was a goon). Bottom line is, I believed how big the universe was and what I could be and didn't feel small even if I was five years old.
2017 Power Rangers
What are your thoughts about 'Power Rangers?' Thoughts about cast, are you excited? I'm working on posting my version of my Power Rangers script online because I've worked on revisions for four years so why not.
