Power Rangers purists: brace yourself because if the new outfit for Rita Repulsa is any indication, the upcoming adaptation of your beloved franchise is undergoing some serious morphin’ time. We’ve seen the cast without their suits, and they look like five young people in normal clothes. But Lionsgate has now released the first look at Elizabeth Banks as the villainous Rita Repulsa, and it’s drastically different than the TV series:


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Image via Lionsgate

For those who have never seen the 1993 show, here’s the original Rita Repulsa (played by Barbara Goodson):

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Image via ABC

Banks tells People [via EW], “It’s definitely a modern and edgy re-imagining of the original Rita Repulsa,” adding, “We wanted to give her a backstory that connects her to the new Rangers.”  So is the new Repulsa like a fallen Power Ranger? Did she have a relationship with Zordon that went sour?

Regardless of the character’s past, the character’s goal is still the same. “Obviously, first, world domination,” says Banks.

So Power Rangers fans: what do you think of the new outfit for Rita? Does it make you worried about how the Rangers are going to look? Are you apprehensive about director Dean Isrealite’s take on the material? Sound off in the comments section.


Power Rangers opens March 24, 2017. Here’s the official synopsis:

Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.

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Image via Saban Entertainment