And the nostalgia keeps on coming. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers debuted in 1993, and now that it's a little over twenty years later, those ten-year-olds are now thirty-year-olds who probably want a piece of their childhood back. Lionsgate and Saban are going to be more than happy to give it to them in the form of a new live-action film. For those who never watched the show (and I only saw its original incarnation), it's about a giant floating head that bestows five teenagers with special powers that allow them to morph into brightly-colored rangers who fight evil aliens. The episodes always end by ripping off Voltron as each ranger pilots an animal vehicle, and then the vehicles combine to make a really big vehicle that defeats a really big enemy. It's a kids' show, people.
The series is still on the air (the titles keep changing, and now it's called "Power Rangers Megaforce") and there have been three movies, but now Lionsgate and Saban want to create a new, live-action feature film. Hit the jump for more.
In a press release, Saban Brands said Lionsgate was a good match because the studio has been able to successfully create franchises out of The Hunger Games, Twilight, and Divergent. I don't know if naming those franchises means Power Rangers will now be skewing a little older, but it's a valuable brand nonetheless. It's a brand I have absolutely no interest in seeing return to the big screen, but the show's popularity has never really diminished among its target audience. I'm going to hope that this movie is for them, because they'll probably go for it.
However, it will be interesting to see if the demographics and marketing can power a Power Rangers movie into a hit. The last live-action feature, 1997's Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, grossed less than $10 million.
Here's the press release:
LIONSGATE AND SABAN BRANDS PARTNER
FOR POWER RANGERS LIVE ACTION FEATURE FILM
SANTA MONICA, CA, May 7, 2014 – Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, and Saban Brands, a strategic brand management company that acquires and builds global consumer brands, are partnering to develop and produce an original live action feature film based on the iconic Power Rangers property, it was announced today by creator of Power Rangers Haim Saban and Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. The announcement marks another step in Lionsgate’s continued commitment to build a broad portfolio of branded properties and franchises with global appeal.
Saban launched Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as a live action television series more than 20 years ago, and the series has been in continuous production ever since. It has subsequently grown into one of the world’s most popular and recognizable brands, with toys, apparel, costumes, video games, DVD’s, comic books and other merchandise.
The two companies noted that, with an extensive and extremely devoted worldwide fan base as well as a deep and detailed mythology, the Power Rangers are primed for the big screen. The new film franchise will re-envision the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, a group of high school kids who are infused with unique and cool super powers but must harness and use those powers as a team if they have any hope of saving the world.
“Lionsgate is the perfect home for elevating our Power Rangers brand to the next level,” said Saban. “They have the vision, marketing prowess and incredible track record in launching breakthrough hits from The Hunger Games to Twilight and Divergent. In partnership with the Lionsgate team, we’re confident that we will capture the world of the Power Rangers and translate it into a unique and memorable motion picture phenomenon with a legacy all its own.”
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Haim Saban and his team to maximize the potential of this immensely successful and universally recognized franchise,” said Feltheimer. “The Power Rangers stories and characters have been embraced by generations of audiences for more than 20 years, and today they are more powerful than ever. We have the ideal partner and the perfect brand with which to create a motion picture event that will resonate with moviegoers around the world for years to come.”