Netflix is developing movies and shows for a new Power Rangers cinematic universe. Based on the Japanese Super Sentai superhero franchise, Power Rangers' fame throughout the 1990s is difficult to overstate. The hugely successful Western TV remake, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, gave rise to feature films, video games and further TV series that helped catapult the spandex-clad monster fighters to stardom. Thanks to its success on screen, the Power Rangers series also became one of the biggest merchandising opportunities of all time, with an almost endless series of toy and action figure lines making the Power Rangers a pop culture phenomenon.
While the success of the Power Rangers has made them a mainstay on TV since their creation, the show has found it hard to translate to the big screen, with the latest reboot proving a critical and commercial flop. The movie, which starred Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston as the Rangers' mentor Zordon, follows a new group of teens who attempt to stop an alien threat from destroying the world. The reboot relied heavily on nostalgia to sell its premise but struggled to stick the landing, despite Elizabeth Banks' campy take on classic Power Rangers villain Rita Repulsa going some way to saving the movie. Due to its poor reception, subsequent Power Rangers sequels were shelved, with the rights to the franchise handed over to toy giant Hasbro.
As reported by Deadline, despite a somewhat rocky history, Michael Lombardo from EOne, a Hasbro owned entertainment company, has announced that the Power Rangers franchise is receiving a new reboot on Netflix. Lombardo confirmed that overseeing the cinematic universe is Jonathan Entwistle, creator of renowned dark-comedy The End of the F***ing World. Elaborating on what form the project will take, Lombardo confirmed that their are multiple shows, films and kid-orientated programming in the works. He also confirmed that Entwistle was working on the project with a "great writing partner," before sharing that all parties involved were excited about the upcoming project. Entwistle followed up the announcement on Twitter, sharing the news with fans: "I guess the cat’s out of the bag! The new Power Rangers universe is coming to Netflix." See Lombardo's comments below:
"Since we set up Power Rangers with Jonathan, we pitched really a whole-world approach. It’s not just one show, it is shows followed by films, some kids’ programming. We have found a great writing partner for him, they are off. Knock on wood, Netflix is excited, we’re excited, we hope to have some news soon."
Entwistle's involvement was announced when a Power Rangers reboot was first confirmed, but this update reveals that the universe will be released via Netflix, as well as its massive scope. With multiple intertwining shows and movies incorporated to make one exciting and expansive new universe, it sounds like Netflix is using the Power Rangers to challenge the likes of Disney+. While the Power Rangers name certainly carries weight, creating competition for Disney's intertwining properties such as Marvel and Star Wars is bold, but could potentially have a huge payoff if done correctly.
Although the Power Rangers project is perhaps the most exciting topic to take from Lombardo's interview, he also teased several other Hasbro-owned properties making their way to TV screens. The toy manufacturer is looking to adapt several of its games and franchises, including a new game-show based on the Monopoly board game, an animated Clue series and an upcoming Dungeons & Dragons show. While Hasbro looks to take on their competition by doubling down on adaptions, it's safe to say the Power Rangers franchise's second wind has the potential to be a massive success.
Source: Deadline
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