When the Power Rangers reboot was first announced, it was made clear that Lionsgate’s plan was to cast a group of newcomers as the lead heroes and some more familiar faces in key supporting roles. So far, that’s included choosing Elizabeth Banks as the villainous Rita Repulsa and Bryan Cranston as Zordon, and the latest addition is now Saturday Night Live alum Bill Hader.
The actor will lend his voice to fan-favourite character Alpha 5, the team’s technician who calls the Command Centre home alongside Zordon. As well as constructing weapons for them, the quirky hero is also a friend and mentor whose well-known catchphrase is, “Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi!” when he finds himself overwhelmed by what the Power Rangers are getting up to.
It may all sound a bit daft, but fans of the franchise love the character enough that Saban once released a surprisingly popular direct to video Christmas musical titled Alpha’s Magical Christmas.
As for Hader, he’s appeared in the likes of 22 Jump Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine and is known for lending his voice to to The BFG and South Park. Power Rangers’ Alpha 5 won’t be his first robot role either, as his voice was also used for BB-8 in Star Wars: The Force Awakens last year.
Directed by Dean Israelite, Power Rangers is currently set to be released on March 24th, 2017.
