Kids of the 90s, are you ready to see another of your favorite TV shows get the reboot treatment? Too bad if you’re not, because The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are coming to a multiplex near you. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the role of the villainous Rita Repulsa will be played by Pitch Perfect‘s Elizabeth Banks.
The 41-year-old actress shared the news on her Twitter account, tweeting:
After 10,000 years, I'm free! It's time to conquer Earth!!⚡️ Time to play #RitaRepulsa #PowerRangersMovie pic.twitter.com/ouzd2BtkUI
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) February 2, 2016
If you’re not familiar with the Power Rangers, the kids show, which aired on the Fox Kids afternoon block told the story of a band of teenagers who were able to morph into super warriors and protect the planet from alien invaders, including Rita, an evil alien sorceress. Here’s a video introduction for the uninitiated.
In addition to Elizabeth and R.J., the film also stars singer Becky G. as the Yellow Ranger, Dacre Montgomery as the Red Ranger, Ludi Lin as the Black Ranger, and Naomi Scott as the Pink Ranger. Sounds like they could use the “star power”, huh? The film is currently scheduled for release on March 24, 2017. If you can’t wait that long, rent 1995’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. After watching the trailer, maybe you shouldn’t.
I admit, I never watched Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but I think this was an inspired casting choice. Elizabeth is used to playing outlandish, scene-stealing characters, most notably Effie Trinket, my favorite character in the Hunger Games series. She pulls off eccentric quite well. And, if they keep the camp element of the original series intact, she’s got the comedic chops to pull that off as well (she killed it on SNL and 30 Rock.) Is this enough to get your ticket money?
Photo Credit: WENN.com
I loved the Power Rangers when I was a kid. Out of the cast, apart from Elizabeth, I only know who Becky G is and good God, she’s incrediblly annoying.
This is genius. All hail Elizabeth!
My friend told me about this casting yesterday. I thought it was a joke.
It was a lame show. No way will I see the movie
It’s a very strange choice for her. I think she’ll be great, but why? Camp villain in a lame kid’s movie seems like something she’s way past by now. Maybe she’s doing it for the paycheque, but how big could the cheque be in all seriousness?
Maybe it helps secure financing for her next directing gig? Often it’s this for that in Hollywood. Pitch perfect 2 was her directorial debut and made some money so my guess is she’s do this to get “that” (next movie).
Who, who, who, who and who?
I love Elizabeth Banks so much.
Right in the childhood! I only watched Mighty Morphin PR, not the million seasons that followed. Amy Jo Johnson was my idol back in the day haha! Not sure about the movie but Elizabeth being cast as Rita Repulsa is kind of genius.
Whatever they do it better be good because I know that my son is going to make me watch it over and over, god help me!
Go for Elizabeth!
Jennifer Lawerance probably passed on the role so Elizabeth took it!
A paycheck is a paycheck!
I’m not nostalgic about the power rangers for some reason, I guess I just wasn’t that into it.
I do love Elizabeth Banks though, so I might check out the movie when it comes out on netflix.
I feel like this is a step backwards for her.
I loathe me some Power Rangers, I have two sons and have been on Power Ranger OVERLOAD for about 18+ years . . .
However, I LOVE Elizabeth Banks, and she will slay the part of Rita Repulsa. I agree, I loved her performance as Effie Trinket. She is a very talented gal.
I won’t go see the movie, no way. But the production will certainly see my money, I bet both of my sons will want to see the movie in theater, and then they will NEED the dvd when it comes out. Crud.
Wasn’t Rita played by asian actress? Or two? I know she’s not of human race, but still.
So it depends on the version and the series, but yes/sorta~ish. She was played by a Japanese actress in the japanese version and that footage (along with all the fight scenes) were recycled for the first season of the US version and she was dubbed by a white woman, Barbara Goodson, in the American version. A Brazilian actress, Carla Perez, took over the role towards the middle of the second season, but she was still voiced by Barbara Goodson.
I forgot to add that it doesn’t change the fact that she was visually a woman of color throughout the series.
LOVE IT! The Power Rangers is a camp masterpiece. Even my 12 year old self noticed how low-budget, badly written and tacky the whole thing was. And it was hilarious.
They HAVE to go the camp route. I’ve had enough with DC taking heroes in spandex seriously.
I was all about this show as a kid. I grew up watching PR. Will I watch the new one? Eh maybe on nteflix or something. Apparently they want to make it a triology lol
I’m going to binge watch the later seasons (until I get sick of them) when this film starts to roll out. I was hooked as a kid.
She annoys me. She’s a little too into herself for my taste.
She must be really hard up for money. I just saw her shilling some real estate agency on a TV commercial the other day, and now this?
Elizabeth will get my money. For the sole reason that women can lead a film and it makes money. She will be the name for this one.
Why on earth would she take this role?!
The only thing I wanna know is who is going to play Tommy/the Green Ranger or if he’ll even be in the movie.
I think she plays a great villain. Looking forward to it!