Disney+ is developing a brand-new live-action Power Rangers with Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz in talks to write, showrun and produce with 20th Century TV.
Hasbro, which has owned Power Rangers since 2018, is backing the series as part of a larger effort to reimagine the franchise for a new generation while keeping longtime fans engaged.
For those who grew up in the ‘90s, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was the show to watch. It centered on five teenagers who were able to transform into color-coded heroes to battle evil with giant mech warriors.
Adapted from Japan’s Super Sentai and using recycled action footage, the franchise exploded in popularity, leading to multiple seasons, movies, and endless toy lines. A 1995 feature film starred most of the original cast, followed by a 1997 sequel with a few returning members.
Over the past 25 years, Power Rangers has taken on many different forms, evolving with each new iteration. The last major reboot attempt came in 2017 when Lionsgate and Saban Films released a grittier, YA-style Power Rangers movie.
Despite some fan enthusiasm, the movie was a dissapointment and failed to spark a larger cinematic universe. The movie grossed only $142 million against a $100 million budget.
Now, with Disney+ and Hasbro leading the charge, this new series is expected to take a fresh approach. Hasbro Entertainment has been aggressively expanding its media footprint, with projects like a Clue reimagining at Sony, a Dungeons & Dragons series Forgotten Realms at Netflix, and a Magic: The Gathering animated show from Star Trek: Picard showrunner Terry Matalas.
Steinberg and Shotz bring some strong credentials to the table. They have been doing a great jon with Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and they recently wrapped the second season of the Disney+ series, which has already been renewed for a third.
They’re also known for The Old Man, the FX thriller starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. It will be interesting to see if the new show captures the magic of the original, and how they will redefine Power Rangers for a new generation.
Source: The Wrap
Credit:Source link