Power Rangers (2017) bombed at the box office despite introducing what could have been an exciting new take on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but after eight years, I’m finally excited about the future of the franchise again. While the Power Rangers TV show continued just fine after the 2017 movie flopped, the fact that the first Power Rangers project for the big screen since 1997 turned out to be a commercial failure was not a good sign. I always thought that Power Rangers could be Hollywood’s next big superhero franchise, but after the reboot’s failure, I wasn’t so sure.

There have only been three Power Rangers movies, two of which featured the cast of the TV show. In other words, the franchise has rarely tried something different and has preferred to focus its efforts on the TV show. However, as much as I love classic Power Rangers and all of its tropes, I’ve always wanted to see a more modern, big-budget take on this universe. Fortunately, this seems to be what we are getting with the new Power Rangers series that is reportedly in the works at Disney+.

Power Rangers (2017) Not Getting A Sequel Was Incredibly Frustrating

The Movie Planted The Seeds For A Larger Power Rangers Universe

While the Power Rangers movie left a lot to be desired in terms of action and capturing the spirit of what a Super Sentai-inspired property should be, it was a very inspired reimagining of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. From Rita Repulsa being the original Green Ranger to Zordon sacrificing his only chance of restoring his body so that Billy could live, 2017’s Power Rangers was full of interesting ideas. Even the costumes, which I initially disliked, eventually grew on me. Most importantly, the reboot planted the seeds for what could have been an exciting movie franchise.

This is why Power Rangers bombing at the box office and never having a sequel was so frustrating. Power Rangers 2 would have most likely covered the “Green With Evil” arc, which, if done right, could’ve been even cooler in a theatrical movie than it was in the TV show. Lionsgate had bold plans for Power Rangers and envisioned multiple sequels to the 2017 reboot, which unfortunately never happened. Now, eight years later, Power Rangers finally has another chance to grow beyond the traditional TV show with what seems to be a reboot for the small screen.

Power Rangers’ New Show Means We Can Finally Have A New Take On The Franchise

The Disney+ Show Can Be A Fresh New Version Of Power Rangers

The problems with Cosmic Fury were a reminder that Power Rangers needed to change, whether by experimenting with different formats or rebooting the entire show. While moving away from the continuity that we have followed since 1993 is risky, I believe that starting a new Power Rangers universe from scratch is a good move for the franchise. We still don’t know much about the Disney+ series that is reportedly in the works, but according to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Toei and Saban are not involved.

Therefore, it is safe to say this new Power Rangers show will be a reboot instead of season 31. Live-action Power Rangers still has a lot of untapped potential, especially compared to the comic books. From the characters to the lore, there is just so much that a modern Power Rangers can do. Hopefully, the Disney+ series will be the start of a new, successful Power Rangers universe in a way that the 2017 movie failed to be.

Source: The Numbers, ᴅᴇᴀᴅline

Power Rangers

Power Rangers is a long-running multimedia franchise that debuted in 1993 with the TV series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Created by Haim Saban and adapted from the Japanese Super Sentai series, Power Rangers became a cultural phenomenon by combining action-packed footage from Super Sentai with new scenes featuring American actors. The franchise follows teams of young heroes who transform into Power Rangers to battle various villains, using martial arts, special powers, and giant mechas called Zords. Over the decades, the franchise has expanded into multiple TV series, films, comics, video games, and merchandise, becoming one of the most successful children’s franchises in the world.

First Film

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

Latest Film

Power Rangers

First TV Show

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers

Latest TV Show

Power Rangers Cosmic Fury

First Episode Air Date

August 28, 1993

Cast

Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Ludi Lin, Becky G., Bryan Cranston, Bill Hader, Elizabeth Banks, David Yost, Amy Jo Johnson

TV Show(s)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers Turbo, Power Rangers In Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, Power Rangers Time Force, Power Rangers Wild Force, Power Rangers Ninja Storm, Power Rangers Dino Thunder, Power Rangers S.P.D., Power Rangers Mystic Force, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive, Power Rangers Jungle Fury, Power Rangers RPM, Power Rangers Samurai, Power Rangers Megaforce, Power Rangers Dino Charge, Power Rangers Ninja Steel, Power Rangers Beast Morphers, Power Rangers Dino Fury, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury

Video Game(s)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Mega Battle, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, Saban’s Power Rangers Megaforce, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind

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