Exciting news for fans of the iconic franchise: a live-action Power Rangers series is reportedly in the works for Disney+. According to The Wrap, the talented duo behind Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz, are in discussions to helm this new project as writers, showrunners, and producers in collaboration with 20th Century TV. Hasbro, the current owner of the Power Rangers brand, aims to revitalize the series for a new generation while keeping the loyalty of existing fans intact.
The original The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers TV show, which first aired in the '90s, became a cultural phenomenon, captivating children worldwide with its teenage heroes and their colossal mechs. These mechs could unite to form an even more powerful entity, fueling the imaginations of a generation.
In 2018, Hasbro acquired the Power Rangers franchise from Saban Properties for a staggering $522 million. At the time of the acquisition, Hasbro's chairman and CEO, Brian Goldner, highlighted the "tremendous upside potential" of the brand, expressing enthusiasm for expanding Power Rangers across various platforms, including toys, games, consumer products, digital gaming, and entertainment worldwide.
This acquisition followed the unsuccessful 2017 movie reboot, which attempted a darker, more mature take on the franchise. Despite its aim to kickstart a series of sequels, the film's poor box office results led to the cancellation of further plans, prompting Saban to sell the rights to Hasbro shortly thereafter.
Hasbro has been actively developing other notable projects, such as a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series titled The Forgotten Realms at Netflix, an animated Magic: The Gathering series also at Netflix, and a cinematic universe based on Magic: The Gathering. These endeavors showcase Hasbro's commitment to expanding its beloved franchises across multiple media platforms.
