Lionsgate and Saban’s Power Rangers movie picked up a considerable amount of steam last week with the news that X-Men: First Class scribes Ashley Miller and Zack Stenz will be writing the screenplay.  Moreover, Transformers and Star Trek alum Roberto Orci has come aboard the project as executive producer.  Details regarding the adaptation of the popular 1990s TV series have been scarce, but Orci recently opened up a bit about their plans for the movie.  It’s still early days as the script hasn’t yet been written, but Orci revealed that the film will exist in continuity with the world of the TV series and also discussed the kind of research that he, Miller, and Stenz have been doing in preparation for the script.  More after the jump.

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Speaking with IGN, Orci said he and the writing team have been thumbing through the canonical history of Power Rangers during their research:

“One of the first things we did was learn and read... [Saban] has 600 pages of research that they have on their stuff. We read through the synopsis of everything they did and we are actually taking into account quite a bit of the canon in a real way. We're not just a leave it behind reboot. [Haim] Saban cares very much about that. This is something that he created. I had to go to his house, personally, to tell him, ‘Listen, I'm your man. Miller and Stenz, these are your guys. I promise you I won't ruin your franchise.’ And he said, ‘It's very important to me, because kids around the world know what the Power Rangers are. So you can't just come in here and walk all over it. It better be consistent with what I've been doing.’ And I said, ‘Yes sir!’”

When pressed as to whether the Power Rangers movie will exist within the continuity of the TV show, Orci answered in the affirmative:

“It's got a continuity within the world. I can't tell you what, but it does have a continuity.”

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Image via Fox

Finally, when asked if we could see cameos from original castmembers, Orci was entirely open to the possibility:

“Of course. That's something we want to rely on the Saban group to tell us. They have a lot of internal knowledge of their franchise and we're just learning now. We've seen it only as fans, but they actually know it inside and out, so I'd love to know what fans want to see.”

I was a fan of the Power Rangers series (and the subsequent movies) growing up, but I can’t say I remember much about the canon of the show.  I don’t much mind whether the film is in step with the TV show, but I could see how more passionate fans might be keen on ensuring that the film doesn’t negate the series.  I think the key is recognizing that Power Rangers, in concept, is incredibly goofy.  If they try to go too “dark” or “realistic” with it, they run the risk of creating a bland or incongruous film.  Embrace the colorful nature of the property.

Orci’s involvement isn’t exactly encouraging, but I like Miller and Stenz quite a bit so hopefully they can put together a fun adaptation.  What do you think, readers?  Is it important that the Power Rangers movie stays in canon with the TV series to you, or do you not have strong feelings about the film’s ties to the show?  What do you want to see in the new film?  Sound off in the comments below.

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Image via Fox