Exciting news for fans of the iconic franchise: Power Rangers is gearing up for a live-action series on Disney+. According to The Wrap, the showrunners behind the successful Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz, are in discussions to helm this new project for Disney+ and 20th Century TV. This move signals a fresh start for the beloved series, aiming to captivate a new generation while keeping the existing fanbase engaged.
The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, which debuted in the '90s, became a cultural phenomenon, enchanting children with its teenage superheroes and their impressive mechs that could combine into an even larger mech. The franchise's enduring appeal led Hasbro to acquire Power Rangers, along with other brands, from Saban Properties in a $522 million deal back in 2018. At the time, Hasbro's chairman and CEO, Brian Goldner, expressed enthusiasm about the brand's potential, stating, "We see significant opportunity for Power Rangers across our entire Brand Blueprint, including toys and games, consumer products, digital gaming and entertainment, as well as geographically throughout our global retail footprint."
This acquisition followed the unsuccessful 2017 movie reboot, which attempted a darker, grittier take on the Power Rangers universe. Despite plans for multiple sequels, the film's poor box office performance led to the cancellation of those projects, prompting Saban to sell the rights to Hasbro shortly thereafter.
Hasbro's ambitions extend beyond Power Rangers. The company is also developing a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series titled The Forgotten Realms for Netflix, an animated Magic: The Gathering series, also at Netflix, and a cinematic universe for Magic: The Gathering. These projects highlight Hasbro's commitment to expanding its iconic brands across various media platforms.
