Power Rangers: A Cinematic Universe That Never Was
The 2017 reboot of Power Rangers, directed by Dean Israelite, had high hopes of kickstarting a new franchise with multiple sequels. In fact, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer predicted that the studio would end up making “five, or six, or seven” Power Rangers movies. However, the film’s disappointing box office performance led to the cancellation of the planned sequels, and the franchise’s cinematic future remains uncertain.
Power Rangers has a complicated history with theatrical movies. The franchise’s first attempt at a film adaptation was in 1995 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, which while not a commercial success, has since become a cult classic. Two years later, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie was released, serving as “episode 0” of Power Rangers Turbo.
The 2017 reboot aimed to reimagine the Mighty Morphin era, featuring a new cast of up-and-coming actors and a darker, more mature take on the world of Power Rangers. Unfortunately, the film failed to resonate with audiences, grossing only $142 million worldwide on a $100 million budget.
The failure of the 2017 reboot is even more disappointing considering the rich lore of the Power Rangers franchise, which has been building for over 30 years. With countless heroes, villains, locations, and more, the franchise has the potential to make for a fun and engaging movie franchise.
Despite the reboot’s failure, fans remain hopeful that Power Rangers will one day return to the big screen. The 2017 film’s post-credits scene teased the arrival of Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, who would have been a great addition to the planned sequels. Perhaps, someday, the franchise will be reimagined once again, giving fans a new opportunity to explore the world of Power Rangers on the big screen.
