Reimagining classic childhood franchises in a darker, more mature tone is a common trend in entertainment. Shows such as Bel-Air, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Velma have all received the treatment, with varying degrees of success and fan reaction. Even the popular children’s show Power Rangers had its own gritty reboot with a new cast and Bryan Cranston as their mentor, Zordon. While the 2017 film received mixed reviews, fans appreciated the unique and entertaining take on the series.
However, there’s a new film on the horizon that is heavily inspired by Power Rangers: Legend of the White Dragon. Crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2020, the film stars Jason David Frank, the former Power Ranger who portrayed Tommy Oliver, in his final role before his death in November 2022. Jason was actively involved in promoting the film, and the Kickstarter campaign surpassed its stretch goal of $500,000, allowing the project to become a feature film.
Although the movie takes inspiration from Power Rangers, Jason emphasized in a 2021 interview with ComicBook.com that Legend of the White Dragon is not connected to the franchise in any way. Instead, he wanted the film to showcase his acting abilities outside of his reputation as a Power Ranger. The movie follows Erik Reed, also known as the White Dragon, who becomes a fugitive after a battle destroys a city. As he tries to evade the law, he must also regain his lost powers when a new threat arises.
Despite having no connection to Power Rangers canon, Legend of the White Dragon stars several former Power Rangers actors such as Cerina Vincent from Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Jason Faunt from Power Rangers Time Force, and Ciara Hanna from Power Rangers Megaforce. The film also features notable Hollywood actors including Michael Madsen and Mark Dacascos. Overall, the movie could be considered a tribute to Power Rangers.
Legend of the White Dragon is set to release in theaters on September 4, which coincides with Jason David Frank’s birthday. Fans eagerly await the film’s debut to see how it differs from Power Rangers and how it pays homage to the classic show.
