The Ultimate Power Rangers Reboot that Will Blow Your Mind
Power Rangers' upcoming reboot promises a fresh and improved tone, setting the stage for a successful YA series Learn why this reboot has the potential to surpass the failed 2017 movie
Summary
The box office disappointment of Power Rangers (2017) may have dampened its success, but a potential revival holds the opportunity to breathe new life into the franchise and captivate a fresh audience.The ongoing development of a Power Rangers TV series specifically catered towards young adults promises an innovative narrative and distinct atmosphere, decisively diverging from its origins as a Super Sentai adaptation.
The success of other Power Rangers media, such as the Power Rangers comics, demonstrates the potential for a successful young adult reboot featuring new characters that can captivate and engage new audiences.
While the Power Rangers (2017) movie failed to kickstart a movie franchise, the pre-existing storyline provides an ideal foundation for a fresh reboot of the beloved TV series. Despite the disappointment of the Power Rangers movie at the box office, the TV shows have continued to thrive, with a new season airing every year. However, as the franchise's 30th season approaches, the future of Power Rangers after Power Rangers Cosmic Fury could deviate from the norm - a positive and exciting prospect for viewers.
Power Rangers' New YA Series Sets Up A Completely Different (& Better) Tone
The 2017 Power Rangers film served as a revitalization of the classic Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series. The iconic characters, such as Zordon's group of spirited teenagers and the notorious Rita Repulsa, were given fresh interpretations in this cinematic reboot. Although it was fascinating to witness the transformation of Mighty Morphin into a blockbuster spectacle, the ultimate Power Rangers reboot should embark on an entirely new journey. Luckily, this is exactly what is anticipated to occur following the release of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury.
At the end of 2020, an announcement was made about the development of a scripted TV show for young adults based on the Power Rangers. Hasbro has recently confirmed that this project is still underway. It is expected that this series will feature an all-original storyline rather than being an adaptation of Super Sentai. The Power Rangers franchise has been shifting away from Sentai adaptations, as evident in the absence of Sentai footage in the recent releases such as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always and Cosmic Fury. Furthermore, with the target audience being young adults, this Power Rangers TV show is likely to have a significantly different tone compared to the current seasons.
Power Rangers (2017) made an attempt to reenvision Power Rangers for a more mature audience. However, the 2017 reboot had difficulties in finding its tone due to its utilization of the same characters and concepts from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The dark and gritty reboot, which minimally showcased the Power Rangers in action, failed to resonate. In contrast, Once & Always proved to be a superior project in terms of returning to the essence of Mighty Morphin. A young adult Power Rangers TV series with no connections to the primary Power Rangers universe would be an ideal means of reimagining the saga for a new generation, while not excessively relying on nostalgia.
Power Rangers Already Proved A YA Reboot Can Work
As the Power Rangers universe continues to expand across television and comics, the franchise demonstrates that a reboot targeting young adults can succeed without being based on a Super Sentai series. Although the Cosmic Fury suits garnered mixed reactions, the possibility of a 10-episode Power Rangers season without filler episodes, utilizing Sentai footage solely for the Zord battles, is undoubtedly promising. Moreover, Once & Always, which featured some of the darkest moments in Power Rangers' franchise history, further evidences the franchise's openness to diverse interpretations. More recently, Ranger Academy, a series by BOOM! Comics, exemplified practically how a young adult-focused Power Rangers story can thrive.
Ranger Academy is a new series set within the Power Rangers universe in the comics. It centers around original characters who are enrolled in an academy dedicated to training future Rangers. Drawing inspiration from Power Rangers Time Force and Power Rangers S.P.D., Ranger Academy showcases how the Power Rangers franchise can start fresh while still acknowledging its history. Emulating the popular vibe of shows such as Stranger Things or Cobra Kai, this reboot series has the potential to revitalize the saga for a whole new generation of viewers.
