It’s been seventeen years since the second of two Hollywood feature films made their way to fans of the long-successful American Tokusatsu crossover TV series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Since then, the global fanbase has stayed true to their favorite color-assorted superheroes in one form or another in full support of a genre that still grabs audiences to this day, and has even inspired several independent filmmakers and content creators along the way.
This week, following news of media mogul Haim Saban’s launch of Saban Films, it seems things are ready to pick up with a new live-action feature film. And according to the press release below, Lionsgate is getting in on the suit-action as well.
SANTA MONICA, CA, May 7, 2014 – Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, and Saban Brands, a strategic brand management company that acquires and builds global consumer brands, are partnering to develop and produce an original live action feature film based on the iconic Power Rangers property, it was announced today by creator of Power Rangers Haim Saban and Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. The announcement marks another step in Lionsgate’s continued commitment to build a broad portfolio of branded properties and franchises with global appeal.
Saban launched Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as a live action television series more than 20 years ago, and the series has been in continuous production ever since. It has subsequently grown into one of the world’s most popular and recognizable brands, with toys, apparel, costumes, video games, DVD’s, comic books and other merchandise.
The two companies noted that, with an extensive and extremely devoted worldwide fan base as well as a deep and detailed mythology, the Power Rangers are primed for the big screen. The new film franchise will re-envision the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, a group of high school kids who are infused with unique and cool super powers but must harness and use those powers as a team if they have any hope of saving the world.
“Lionsgate is the perfect home for elevating our Power Rangers brand to the next level,” said Saban. “They have the vision, marketing prowess and incredible track record in launching breakthrough hits from The Hunger Games to Twilight and Divergent. In partnership with the Lionsgate team, we’re content that we will capture the world of the Power Rangers and translate it into a unique and memorable motion picture phenomenon with a legacy all its own.”
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Haim Saban and his team to maximize the potential of this immensely successful and universally recognized franchise,” said Feltheimer. “The Power Rangers stories and characters have been embraced by generations of audiences for more than 20 years, and today they are more powerful than ever. We have the ideal partner and the perfect brand with which to create a motion picture event that will resonate with moviegoers around the world for years to come.”
Fan-Made Trailer:
Source: FilmCombatSyndicate
May 7, 2014 @ 10:38 am
well this is interesting news for sure. I am curious to see if like the original film it will be an out of continuity/cannon to show film or not. Then of course if its out of continuity to see what changes they make and if they will include cameos of any of the original actors in some fashion. Also will be fun to see when it comes out. Cause on average its a 2 yr turnaround for a film of this nature. So probably around 2016/2017.
May 7, 2014 @ 11:51 am
Press release confirms that it’s Mighty Morphin, so yes, it’s definitely an alternate universe like the first movie was. I expect it’ll retell either Day of the Dumpster through Teamwork, or Green With Evil.
May 7, 2014 @ 12:11 pm
This should be interested. And it’s nice to read the news about this without all the snark. Almost every site reporting on it is full of writers trying to sound cool and pretending they either never watched it or were already watching Terrance Malik films when they were 3 so not to be embarrassed.
May 7, 2014 @ 12:56 pm
It’s about time. This will boost the franchise to another level again and It’s probably going to be released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of MMPR
Think it might be a straight up MMPR remake and create a Power rangers cinematic universe like how marvel are doing like the avengers .
if the remake of MMPR is a trilogy they should split the movies ..an example ( just a thought)
MMPR movie remake 1
1st act of the movie….
About the five MM Power rangers first getting powers
MMPR movie remake 1
2nd act of the movie…..
Green ranger Green with evil in 2nd half of the movie then near the end all 6 rangers team up
Lord Zedd in end credits
MMPR movie remake Spinoff …..
Green ranger solo movie,
MMPR movie remake TV series,….
bulk and skull
MMPR movie remake 2
1st act of the movie …….
The Green ranger loses his powers through the green candle and ranger’s
zords destroyed and need to be modified
MMPR movie remake 2
2nd act of the movie ….
When the rangers are in facing Lord zedd and when all is lost the white ranger appears
A bigger threat than Rita and zedd appears in end credits
MMPR movie remake TV series…., the origin of zordon and Rita repulsa (a star wars meets marvels thor and lord of the rings like epic )
MMPR Finale of the trilogy… the final battle and new powers. passing the torch to a new team of Power rangers at the end of the movie
May 11, 2014 @ 3:34 am
And hopefully they’ll ditch the whole RADICAL 90s COOL DUDE attitude for the script.