Exciting news for fans of the iconic franchise: Power Rangers is gearing up for a thrilling live-action series on Disney+. According to The Wrap, the talented duo behind the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz, are in discussions to take on the roles of writers, showrunners, and producers for this new venture, in collaboration with Disney+ and 20th Century TV.
Hasbro, the current owner of the Power Rangers brand, is aiming to breathe new life into the series, hoping to captivate a fresh audience while keeping the existing fanbase engaged. This move comes as part of Hasbro's broader strategy to expand the franchise's reach across various platforms and markets.
The original '90s TV show, The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, became a cultural phenomenon, captivating young audiences with its teenage superheroes and their impressive mechs that could combine into an even more formidable machine. This nostalgia-laden series holds a special place in the hearts of many who grew up in that era.
In 2018, Hasbro acquired the Power Rangers franchise from Saban Properties in a significant $522 million deal. At the time, Hasbro's chairman and CEO, Brian Goldner, expressed enthusiasm about the brand's potential, stating, "We see significant opportunity for Power Rangers across our entire Brand Blueprint, including toys and games, consumer products, digital gaming and entertainment, as well as geographically throughout our global retail footprint."
This acquisition followed the unsuccessful 2017 movie reboot, which attempted a darker, grittier take on the Power Rangers universe. Despite plans for multiple sequels, the film's poor box office performance led to the cancellation of those projects, prompting Saban to sell the rights to Hasbro shortly thereafter.
Hasbro's ambitions don't stop with Power Rangers. The company is also developing other high-profile projects, including a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series titled The Forgotten Realms at Netflix, an animated Magic: The Gathering series also in the works at Netflix, and a cinematic universe based on Magic: The Gathering. These initiatives highlight Hasbro's commitment to expanding its entertainment portfolio and engaging fans across different genres and platforms.
