Lionsgate and Saban had big plans for a Power Rangers cinematic universe when the reboot arrived back in March, but things seemed to go very quiet on that front once the film failed to make much of a splash at the box office. Not to mention that it’s been revealed that Saban has not renewed the trademark for the revamped Power Rangers logo used in the recent movie, suggesting that any chances of a sequel have been put to bed.
Apparently, though, that’s not the case. In an official statement from a representative for the company, it’s been vehemently denied that they’re ruling out another Power Rangers pic, while it’s also mentioned that the story about the logo trademark is a lot more “nuanced” than was previously reported.
“The franchise remains as strong and enthusiastic about its future as ever. Power Rangers continues to own and renew hundreds of trademark registrations worldwide, including for the 2017 movie logo. The trademark registration process is very nuanced; and the status of the single application has no bearing on our ownership of or the future plans for Power Rangers.”
It’s very telling that the statement emphasizes the success of the brand rather than the movie itself, as we’ve previously heard that this could be just the thing to save the franchise. Though its box office gross was disappointing, Saban saw a massive spike in merchandising and brand recognition for the property. It’s likely then, that they’re currently working out how to combine that boost with a film that people actually go to see.
Of course, if a sequel does move ahead, it won’t be short of material to deal with. Apart from the thirty years of TV series to pick from, the first Power Rangers left several plot threads dangling, including a possible return for Elizabeth Banks’ Rita Repulsa and the introduction of Tommy the Green Ranger. However, something tells us that the studio will be looking to sweep director Dean Israelite’s effort under the rug and start again with a clean slate.
Tell us, did you enjoy Power Rangers? If so, what would you like to see in the sequel? Have your say in the comments section below.