Get ready to meet the new generation of Power Rangers. Through EW, Lionsgate today released the first official still from its upcoming big-screen reboot, Saban’s Power Rangers. The picture (above) assembles the new cast of teenage Rangers, together — and looking ready to kick alien butt — for the first time since their casting was announced last year.
From left to right in the pic you have: RJ Cyler (Billy the Blue Ranger), Becky G (Trini the Yellow Ranger), Ludy Lin (Zack the Black Ranger), Naomi Scott (Kimberly the Pink Ranger) and Dacre Montgomery (Jason the Red Ranger). Unfortunately, the Rangers have yet to don their recognizable suits, but there’s still plenty of time between now and the movie’s 2017 launch date for that.
Speaking with EW, director Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) detailed his plans for the upcoming movie to not be a solely fantastical action adventure like the original series, but also include a coming of age focus for its young leads. The crew behind the scenes also made sure they were very conscious on the potential for diversity of characters that are so succinctly described by the color of their clothing.
“From the very beginning, diversity was a very important part of the whole process,” he said. “We switched all of the races around, but we made sure that the essence of each of those characters are who they were in the original show, and this really will be an origin story of those characters.”
At least they’re modernizing that touchy part of the franchise.
In the brief interview, Israelite also goes into detail about the new suits for Saban’s Power Rangers, and the big get of Elizabeth Banks as the evil Rita Repulsa.
Saban’s Power Rangers will morph into theaters on March 25, 2017.
