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, Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz, the showrunners behind the successful Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, are in discussions to write, showrun, and produce this new Power Rangers series in collaboration with Disney+ and 20th Century TV.
Hasbro, the current owner of the Power Rangers brand, aims to revitalize the franchise for a new generation while ensuring it remains appealing to existing fans. This move comes as part of Hasbro's broader strategy to leverage the franchise across various platforms and markets.
The original '90s TV show, The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, captivated a generation of children with its teenage superheroes and their impressive mechs, capable of combining into even larger, more formidable machines. This nostalgic appeal continues to resonate with audiences today.
In 2018, Hasbro acquired the Power Rangers franchise from Saban Properties in a deal valued at $522 million. At the time of the acquisition, Hasbro's chairman and CEO, Brian Goldner, expressed optimism 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 less-than-stellar performance of the 2017 Power Rangers movie reboot, which attempted a darker, grittier take on the beloved characters. Despite plans for multiple sequels, the film's poor box office results led to the abandonment of those plans, prompting Saban to sell the rights to Hasbro shortly thereafter.
Hasbro's ambitious plans extend beyond Power Rangers. The company is also developing a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series titled The Forgotten Realms for Netflix, alongside an animated Magic: The Gathering series and a cinematic universe based on the same game, further showcasing Hasbro's commitment to expanding its entertainment offerings.
