The Power Rangers cinematic universe – which currently consists of…one film – is getting the reboot treatment on both the big and small screen. Jonathan Entwistle (I Am Not Okay With This) has been brought on board to spearhead a Power Rangers “franchise reboot initiative”, which will result in multiple new movie and television show adaptations for the Hasbro property.
Entertainment One, or eOne, Hasbro’s entertainment studio, has hired Entwistle direct all projects with eOne both developing and producing. It’s unclear what Entwistle’s vision is for the franchise, or whether or not any of the cast members from the already-forgotten 2017 movie will return.
Entertainment One Film President Nick Meyer and President of Global Programming Michael Lombardo said in a statement: “Jonathan has an incredible creative vision for this iconic and hugely successful franchise and is hands down the right architect to join us as we reimagine the television and film worlds of this property”. Entwistle added:
“This is an unbelievable opportunity to deliver new Power Rangers to both new and existing generations of awaiting and adoring fans. We’ll bring the spirit of analog into the future, harnessing the action and storytelling that made this brand a success. I’m looking forward to working with the teams at eOne and Hasbro. Together, we can’t wait to share more Power Rangers with the world very soon”.
Entwistle actually signed on to direct a new Power Rangers movie back in December of last year, with Patrick Burleigh (Peter Rabbit 2) penning the script. Obviously his job description has now expanded. The question is whether a Power Rangers cinematic universe is actually something audiences want.
The 2017 movie was considered a box office bomb, making just $142.3 million on a $105 million budget. That’s usually a sign that audiences aren’t interested in what you’re selling. It would be bold enough to consider making another Power Rangers movie just a few years later, let alone announcing a whole cinematic universe.
As we’ve seen, studios trying to follow the Marvel formula have failed. Everyone wants their own MCU, but that was such a unique endeavour that it’s incredibly hard to replicate. It’s hard to imagine audiences caring about the Power Rangers enough to stick around for multiple movie and shows. But we’ll see. Entwistle might have a tough job on his hands.
#Peace.Love.PowerRangers
