A Power Rangers Cinematic Universe Is Happening, Here’s How It’s Returning To The 1990s
Next on the docket is the new Power Rangers film. Not only would this be a new film featuring fans’ favorite multi-colored rangers, but a cinematic universe.
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Netflix has been aggressively pursuing adaptations of beloved properties. Cowboy Bebop hit the streaming platform on November 19th with mixed results (via Rotten Tomatoes.) Other adaptations include the popular graphic novel Locke and Key as well as Sweet Tooth. Next on the docket is the new Power Rangers film. Not only would this be a new film featuring fans’ favorite multi-colored rangers, but a cinematic universe. This news is relatively fresh, so there isn’t a lot of information to go around. What is known is that Netflix alum Jonathan Entwistle will be heading the project. He has created I Am Not Okay With This as well as produced The End of the F***ing World for Netflix (via Insider.) Both these projects have featured teens in heightened situations. The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers seem like a logical step.
More exciting about the Power Rangers film is that it will be giving credence to 1990’s nostalgia. According to Deadline, this new push will also involve shows adapting games such as Risk, Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. This nostalgia is so prevalent that the Power Rangers films will reportedly have characters time-traveling back to the 1990’s (via Collider.) Fans of the original series can appreciate the angle to include a familiar time period. This has been a trend in many stories as of late. One example would be Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. Another is Hulu’s Cruel Summer, featuring a traumatic dynamic between two teenage girls that spanned from 1993-1995. Another trip down memory lane was Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, Mid90’s. The film came out in 2018 and followed the troubles of 13-year-old skater Stevie.
There are many questions surrounding the new Power Rangers film, but much of it is being kept under wraps. One significant question is how the 2017 reboot film Power Rangers will fit into the Netflix series. Though the film did not do terribly at the box office, numbers were not impressive (via Looper.) The film made $142 million at the box office while the budget was $100 million. This is not a great return when studios are looking for green lights. According to CinemaBlend, the trademark had lapsed after the first film and it seems unlikely that audiences will see the return of the characters in the film. This is unfortunate as Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) and Zordon (Bryan Cranston) were entertaining antagonists.
The Power Ranger film also pushed young actors into success. Most notably was Dacre Montgomery and Naomi Scott. Both played the Red and Pink ranger respectively. Since then, Montgomery has been seen as terrifying older brother Billy in Stranger Things. Scott has gotten a hold of multiple properties. In the past few years she has portrayed Jasmine in Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin as well as quirky angel Elena in the reboot of Charlie’s Angels.
Currently, Netflix’s Power Rangers: Dino Fury has one season available for streaming. The children’s show is notable for introducing the first queer character Power Rangers has ever seen. Izzy Garcia is the Green Ranger and is involved with a woman. The series is set to premiere its next season in 2022. Fans will look forward to the new Power Rangers movie when updates become available.
