In 2017, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are getting another shot at big screen stardom courtesy of director Dean Israelite and screenwriters Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama. While the movie is a complete reboot of the original Power Ranger series, it may also offer something that the TV show couldn’t: character development.
The character descriptions from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie have reportedly been leaked. And while these are definitely the five original Power Rangers, they have more personality in these descriptions than they ever had before:
Jason – 17 years old, the makings of someone or something great if he would just get out of his own way. Jason was a legend of this town—a freshman quarterback with the skills to take him all the way. People knew his name. Children wore his jersey. Until, one night Jason wrapped his car around a pole and busted out his knee. Everything Jason was going to become ended in an instant. And with it, he lost himself. When we meet him at the start of the film, he’s a kid in need of redemption. By the end, he’ll be leading this disparate group of teens to shed their individual baggage and find who they truly are.
Kimberly – 17 years old, unconventionally cool all in a way the popular girls wish they were. In fact, she was one of those girls, but isn’t anymore. Not since she’s returned to school after an absence of 6 months. Rumors are flying as to why; rumors she seems not to care about, because she’s come back with this new rebel-without-a-cause, edgy attitude. But the truth is, it’s all masking a deep secret that makes her feel profoundly vulnerable.
Trini – 17 years old, mysterious and extremely bright. Her parents constantly move for work, making Trini the perpetual new girl to any school. A loner who owns it, Trini is self-sufficient, contemplative, but always observant. All she wants is to find her gang of friends, but she’ll never admit it – least of all to herself.
Billy – 17 years old, slight and awkward. Billy is challenged in his abilities to communicate and interact socially. Whip-smart and sweet, but always odd. Sometimes in a fun way, sometimes not, Billy is a kid with no filter. Showing his emotions, understanding sarcasm, and dealing with his OCD is a constant challenge. Has never really had any friends and instantly gravitates towards Jason.
Zack – 17 years old, always the life of the party. Filled with bravado and swagger, Zack’s tough and cool on the exterior. A charming guy who’s never had trouble with the one-liner, nor lacked confidence around women. A great athlete that’s never wanted to play on any team but his own. Zack advertises everything about himself, except the truth, which is that he lives in a trailer park with his single mom, and because of it, feels deeply inferior to all his peers.
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Tommy (a.k.a. the Green Ranger and the White Ranger) is noticeably absent from the character list. But if the filmmakers can pull this off, then the five teenagers at the heart of the movie could actually have some depth in this incarnation. That would be a very welcome change.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers will dropkick into theaters on January 13, 2017.
Old school Power Rangers fans, how do you feel about the changes to the Rangers’ personalities? Summon your Zords and share your opinions in the comment section below!
HT: Collider
