It's morphin time! That's right, the Power Rangers movie is still a go, and now, sources close to the film have released a list of characters and descriptions — a list that will make fans of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series very happy.
So far, Dean Israelite has signed on to direct the film. Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama have provided an early draft of the script, with Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz working to adapt it into a movie that Israelite calls "mature, but still playful."
So far, it sounds good, right? Collider published the list of characters and descriptions it exclusively received from sources close to production of the film. And that list features a lot of familiar names, including Jason, Kimberly and even Zack.
First up is Jason, the 17-year-old Red Ranger. He's that popular high school quarterback who "lost himself" after a car accident busted his knee. At the start of the film, he's looking for redemption, and as fans of the Power Rangers know, he'll find it leading a team of Mighty Morphin superheroes.
Next up is Kimberly, a.k.a. the Pink Ranger. The 17-year-old used to have popularity, but after a 6-month hiatus from school, her status has declined. Kimberly doesn't care because she's now got a new edgier attitude, but it's all to hide her secret.
Then there's Trini, the 17-year-old mysterious yellow ranger. She's always the new girl in school, thanks to her parents' jobs that frequently have them on the move. Clever and confident, she's a loner, privately desperate to find friends.
Billy, also 17, is the nerd of the group — that super-smart and sweet guy who has issues interracting socially and getting sarcasm. This is at the base of his difficulty making friends, but Billy finds himself befriending Jason.
Finally, rounding out the group is Zack, the 17-year-old Black Ranger. Zack is the cool and charming guy who's always up for a party, but he uses his tough exterior to cover up his shame over being poor.
So basically, the five Rangers are all closely based on the original characters, although a film will have to go further than the old TV series did in developing them. This was probably one of the most solid groups of Power Rangers, so it's understandable why the film's creators chose to go with them.
Here's hoping that the villains come from the original series, too, such as Rita Repulsa.
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