After Dean Israelite’sPower Rangersfailed to launch the franchise into a new era, it seemed as though that would be the last time any studio would take a shot at a reboot. However, it looks like Hasbro is not giving up on the colorful heroes just yet as the company, which recently acquired Entertainment One studios, has officially confirmed its plans for a full-onRangersrevival. Execs are convinced that there is still much room for the franchise to evolve and become successful among a new generation of viewers.
During Hasbro’s Investor Event this year, CEO Brian Goldner and his corporate partners revealed their plans for “supercharging” the brand and “creating opportunities for growth” via their robust portfolio of mass-appeal entertainment properties. During the discussion, upcoming plans for multiple Hasbro-owned franchises were revealed, including those forTransformers,My Little Pony,Dungeons & Dragons, and Power Rangers.
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ForPower Rangers, Olivier Dumont, the President of Family Brands at Entertainment One Ltd., began with an update on thecurrent iteration ofPower RangerscalledDino Fury.The show, which is fully in production in New Zealand for two seasons despite the ongoing pandemic, constitutes only one part of the studio’s plans for the massive franchise expansion. Dumont added that the show will be released on Netflix and Nickelodeon after production.
Steve Bertram, the President of Film and Television at Entertainment One Ltd., then took over to give more details on upcomingRangersprojects beyondDino Fury. Calling the initiative a “top priority,” Bertram announced that they will be creatinga whole newPower Rangersshared universewith several installments in film, premium TV, animation, and kids content.
He also made officialthe appointment of Jonathan Entwistle, producer of Netflix’sThe End of the F***ing World,to oversee thePower Rangers' future, saying that Entwistle has “a great passion” for the characters and will be the one to “architect the universe.” Bertram promises that the initiative will completely reinvent the team in hopes of sparking new interest in the beloved franchise.
According to rumors, Entwistle’s reboot may revolve around thePower Rangerstraveling through timeback to the 1990s. The film will likely capitalize on ’90s nostalgia and go back to its cheery and campy roots, departing from the serious tone that Israelite went with for the 2017 reboot. Additionally, now that Hasbro has bought out the entirePower Rangersbrand, it is expected that the company will also make an aggressive push into the toys and merchandise market, where it has typically seen much success.
