It’s not morphin’ time, folks. At least, not yet. A planned Power Rangers reboot that was in the works at Disney+ has been shut down, according to Deadline. This latest attempt to update the long-running kids action and superhero series was being written and produced by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz, veterans of the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians streaming show. The project had been set up for development at the Disney streamer about a year and a half ago, but it seems the economics just didn’t add up.
The stated reason for the shutdown is, unsurprisingly, “business” and “budget.” Because, of course, mounting a high-end, live-action superhero series like Power Rangers is a major investment. And when the streamer and/or the producing studio don’t own the IP, as is the case here with Hasbro owning the rights, the numbers just don’t pencil out. It’s not like we haven’t seen this story play out before. A big franchise with a dedicated fan base, a studio eager to cash in, and a whole lot of hype that ultimately ends in disappointment. It’s like clockwork.
The Power Rangers Franchise: A Never-Ending Story
Power Rangers has been a surprisingly durable franchise, with countless seasons and variations over the years. Casts come and go, team names come and go (who can keep track of the difference between Power Rangers: Super Ninja Steel and Power Rangers: Dino Charge, anyway?), but the basic premise endures. The original series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, first introduced us to the colorful heroes in 1993, and it’s been a merchandising dream come true ever since. The toy company Hasbro currently owns the rights, and it’s no secret that they’re eager to keep the franchise alive and kicking.
Despite the nostalgia for the original series remaining high – Netflix even brought back several original cast members for a 30th-anniversary special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, in 2023 – attempts to fully update or modernize the franchise have been tricky. The 2017 big-budget film reboot, also titled Power Rangers, scored middling returns at the box office, and plans to turn it into an ongoing film series never materialized. Rumors of other reboots or revivals have come and gone over the years, but nothing has gotten past the development stage. It seems this Disney+ version is just the latest casualty in the never-ending quest to revive the franchise.
The Endless Quest for the Next Big Thing
It’s no secret that Hollywood is always on the lookout for the next big thing. And what’s bigger than a beloved franchise with a built-in fan base? The problem is, it’s getting harder and harder to find something that truly feels new and original. Studio executives are always searching for fresh ideas, but it seems they’re looking in all the wrong places. Instead of taking risks on innovative storytelling, they’re content to play it safe and rely on nostalgia to carry the day. It’s like they’re trying to harvest the same crop over and over again, expecting a different result each time. Somewhere, a Focus Group is earning another bonus for telling them exactly what they want to hear.
The Merchandising Department is probably breathing a sigh of relief, though. After all, who needs a successful TV show or movie when you can just sell a bunch of action figures and call it a day? It’s a cynical take, maybe, but it’s hard not to feel like that’s exactly what’s happening here. The Power Rangers franchise has been mined for all it’s worth, and it’s starting to feel like it’s time to let it rest. But don’t hold your breath – somewhere, an executive is probably whispering, “Can this become a trilogy?” And so the cycle begins anew.
As the Content Mines remain fully operational, churning out remake after remake, reboot after reboot, it’s hard not to feel a sense of exhaustion. The Franchise Resurrection Department is one of Hollywood’s busiest offices, and it’s starting to feel like they’re running on fumes. Maybe it’s time to take a step back and ask ourselves: what’s the point of all this? Is it just about making a quick buck, or is it about creating something truly special? The answer, unfortunately, is probably the former. And so, the never-ending story of Power Rangers will continue, a testament to the enduring power of nostalgia and the almighty dollar.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
