Exciting news for fans of the iconic franchise: Power Rangers is gearing up for a thrilling live-action series on Disney+. According to The Wrap, the masterminds behind the successful Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz, are in discussions to take the helm as writers, showrunners, and producers for this new venture, in collaboration with Disney+ and 20th Century TV.
Hasbro, the current owner of the Power Rangers brand, is set on reimagining the series to captivate a new generation while keeping the existing fanbase engaged. This move comes as part of Hasbro's broader strategy to leverage the franchise's potential across various platforms, including toys, games, consumer products, and digital entertainment.
The original '90s TV show, The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, became a cultural phenomenon, captivating young audiences with its teenage superheroes and their impressive mechs that could combine into an even more formidable machine. The franchise's enduring appeal led Hasbro to acquire it from Saban Properties in 2018 for a staggering $522 million. At the time of the acquisition, Hasbro's chairman and CEO, Brian Goldner, expressed enthusiasm about the brand's "tremendous upside potential" and its fit within their global retail strategy.
This acquisition followed the underwhelming performance of the 2017 movie reboot, which attempted a darker, grittier take on the Power Rangers universe. Despite plans for a series of sequels, the film's poor box office results led to the cancellation of those plans, prompting Saban to sell the rights to Hasbro shortly thereafter.
In addition to the Power Rangers series, Hasbro is also expanding its entertainment portfolio with other high-profile projects. These include a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series titled The Forgotten Realms, currently in development at Netflix, an animated Magic: The Gathering series also in the works at Netflix, and plans for a Magic: The Gathering cinematic universe. These initiatives highlight Hasbro's commitment to bringing its beloved brands to new audiences through innovative storytelling and engaging content.
