Full Breakdown
The Rise and Fall of the 2017 Power Rangers Franchise Ambitions
4/11/2026, 4:41:13 AM
Ambitious Beginnings for Power Rangers
The 2017 film "Power Rangers," featuring Dacre Montgomery as Jason, the Red Ranger, was intended to launch a four-film franchise under Lionsgate. Montgomery revealed that the studio had high hopes for the project, envisioning a series akin to the successful "Hunger Games" franchise. The film, which also starred Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, and Ludi Lin, aimed to capitalize on the established fanbase of the original series while attracting new audiences.
Despite its promising start, "Power Rangers" grossed only $142.5 million worldwide against a budget exceeding $100 million, leading to significant financial losses for Lionsgate. This disappointing box office performance ultimately curtailed plans for sequels, as the studio deemed the investment unrecouped. Montgomery reflected on the experience, stating, "It was my first job. It was literally the most formative period of my life... but what can you do, right? We’re talking about money, and big business."
The Franchise's Potential and Missed Opportunities
The film's narrative included intriguing plot developments, such as the twist involving Rita Repulsa as the original Green Ranger and the potential introduction of Lord Zedd as a future antagonist. However, these storylines remained unresolved due to the lack of sequels. Montgomery expressed his disappointment, noting that the film had "a lot of ambitions" and "creative expansion of the franchise" that never materialized.
The film's approach, which leaned towards a grounded superhero origin story, failed to resonate with audiences, as it did not capture the vibrant essence of the original series. Critics noted that the film felt too familiar and did not offer a fresh take on the beloved franchise.
Future Prospects for Power Rangers
Despite the setbacks, Montgomery remains optimistic about the future of the "Power Rangers" franchise. He mentioned that there are plans for a reboot, suggesting that Saban may have sold the intellectual property. "I hear they’re rebooting it again... Power Rangers means a great deal to a lot of people," he stated, expressing hope for whoever takes on the mantle in the upcoming iterations.
In 2020, Hasbro and Netflix appointed Jonathan Entwistle and Jenny Klein to develop a new "Power Rangers" series, which is currently in the works and reportedly casting its leads. This new direction may provide the franchise with an opportunity to revitalize its appeal and connect with both longtime fans and new viewers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Montgomery's insights provide a glimpse into the franchise's ambitions, there is limited information on the specific details of the planned sequels and the current status of the reboot. The lack of clarity surrounding the future of "Power Rangers" leaves fans eager for updates on how the franchise will evolve.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was a four-picture deal with Lionsgate. It was gonna be a whole big thing. But what can you do, right?” — Dacre Montgomery, Actor
- “Had a lot of ambitions. It had a lot of creative expansion of the franchise, of the IP. I had the best time with those cast. You know we’ve spoken about it before. They’re all amazing, including RJ. It was going to be a whole big thing, but what can you do, right? We’re talking about money, and big business, and it didn’t recoup or make enough on the investment that the studio had made to continue making more.” — Dacre Montgomery, Actor
- “Power Rangers means a great deal to a lot of people. So I know that whoever steps into those shoes will be great. And I had the best time.” — Dacre Montgomery, Actor
