Eight college friends head to a “Haunted Rental” in a remote town for Halloween weekend. There, they play the game rumored to have caused the deaths of seven teenagers decades earlier, Truth or Dare. What starts out as vodka induced fun, quickly turns serious when the dares become sickeningly dangerous and the truths threaten to tear the group apart. When players attempt to refuse the increasingly challenging tasks, they’re met with deadly consequences, quickly discovering: you must do the dare, or the dare does you. As the death toll mounts, the remaining players must race against the clock to outrun, outsmart and outlast the simple game of Truth or Dare.

Also starring Cassie Scerbo, Brytni Sarpy, Mason Dye, Harvey Guillen, Luke Baines, Ricardo Hoyos, Alexxis Lemire and Heather Langenkamp. It premiered October 8, 2017 and will repeat throughout the month on SyFy.

(Courtesy: GoldAnyRanger from Rangerboard)

The first interview was with Elizabeth Banks (Rita), the second with RJ Cyler (Billy) and Becky G (Trini), and the last with Ludi Lin (Zack), Naomi Scott (Kimberly) and Dacre Montgomery (Jason).

Check out the videos below!

(Courtesy: RiffRanger from Rangerboard)

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He even mentions having worked in the original television series.

(Courtesy: Storm Eagle from Rangerboard)

(Courtesy: Storm Eagle from Rangerboard)

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Landmark Cinemas in Canada is offering residents in our neighbor to the north a chance to win a trip to attend the Los Angeles premiere event for the Saban’s Power Rangers feature film.  Full details available on their website. The contest ends on March 5, 2017, so hurry and submit your entry!

With a screenplay by John Gatins and story by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless and Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands. It will be released in theaters on March 24, 2017.

(Courtesy: NightMere10 from Rangerboard)

The soundtrack will be on sale in digital format beginning March 24, 2017, and on disc beginning April 7, 2017.

(Courtesy: Morphinicius from Rangerboard)

With a screenplay by John Gatins and story by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless and Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands. It will be released in theaters on March 24, 2017.

(Courtesy: wildwing64 from Rangerboard)

As a collective whole, the cast of Power Rangers RPM is undoubtedly one of the most talented ensembles ever to be squeezed into butt-hugging spandex. From Eka Darville’s recurring stint on shows like “Empire” and “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” to Rose McIver’s starring role as the title hero in “iZombie”, this bunch has talent for days. It was this thought that took me into Blood Punch, the decidedly not-suitable-for-Nickelodeon horror comedy about a love triangle gone cray-cray in the woods.

Filled to the brim with RPM alums, would my affection for these young adults with attitude be affirmed through this twisted affair, or would it prove to be, as with the film’s central characters, a seemingly endless nightmare? Climb aboard the dimension-hopping train as we chug along through a spoiler-filled review, and pray that our sanity doesn’t get off at the wrong stop.

When I mention those RPM connections, I’m really not kidding. Not only are we treated to castmembers who played heroes and villains alike, but the film is written by RPM showrunner Eddie Guzelian (a fact I was unaware of until the end credits) and directed by Madellaine Paxson, who herself penned the episodes “Ranger Blue” and “Prisoners”. Ranger alums congregating for a feature project is nothing new, but it’s certainly the highest concentration of talent gathered from a single season up to the point of its release. And what luck, I actually loved all their work unironically!

Our story featuring children’s TV castmembers begins in rehab (where else?), where struggling college student Milton (Milo Cawthorne) is distracted by the alarmingly blunt new girl sitting in on his regular meetings with a group of addicts. After lighting a ciggy and cussing out the whole room, she just outright states that she’s looking for someone to cook a truckload of crystal meth for her. And, because I wasn’t already having “Breaking Bad” flashbacks, she’s introduced with the name Skyler (Olivia Tennet).

Being the rational guy we soon learn he is, Milton immediately sleeps with Skyler and agrees to help, only to discover post-coitus that he has just bumped uglies with a taken woman. Enter Skyler’s crazy partner-in-crime Russell (Ari Boyland), who appears in a bewildering police uniform after apparently killing the heck out of at least one poor dude at the facility before retrieving the duo. What has Milton gotten himself into?

The bulk of the story takes place at a cabin in the woods built upon sacred Native American land where nothing bad ever happens in any movie, especially in the horror genre. Despite his homicidal tendencies, Russell proves he’s not such a bad guy by assuring Milt that it’s okay that he and Skyler made whoopee. This was all part of the plan to manipulate him into helping, so it’s cool! But Milton is not permitted, under any circumstances, to fall in love with his girl. It seems Russell is a bit late with that warning, because in the long five seconds of knowing her, our intrepid meth cook is smitten with the enigmatic chain-smoker. During a night of drug-addled bonding, Milt learns about the history of these strange lands. The whole area was cursed back in olden times after a huge battle that seemed to go on for days, leaving only one survivor. Gee, I wonder if this random story, complete with hallucinated flashback animation, will become a centerpiece of the plot going forward?

Milton experiences a Movie Awakening, in which he quickly sits upright, disoriented about what may or may not have happened in the hours prior. Between turns on the merry-go-round of mental and psychological abuse that Russell forced Skyler into without resistance, he’s found the time to meddle in Milton’s activity. They meet downstairs, where the previously-believed-kinda-dumb Russell seems to know absolutely everything about Milton’s science-y meth work and decides to cut his losses and just kill Milton now. Before Milt can have his WTF-face shot off, Skyler enters, just in time to reveal that she’s already removed the bullets from Russell’s gun, as his psychotic ways have finally gotten old even for her.

Before they know it, the three are fighting for their lives and the struggle concludes with an arrow stuck through Russell’s back. As darkness falls over Russell’s body, he rudely interrupts Milton while trying to bury him, demanding that Milton ask Skyler how he could possibly know about all that science-y stuff when he was normally such a dunce. Good question, Milt. Better shovel more dirt onto the dying man and hurry off to sleep so it won’t bother you later. Sadly, it takes Milton a while to catch onto what’s happening, as he has another Movie Awakening. The same Movie Awakening, in fact, that he’d experienced the previous morning. In the same spot. Wearing the same clothes… WAIT A MINUTE!

After being greeted by an extremely living Russell, exactly like the morning before, Milt finds himself rushing down to the burial site, shocked to find that Russell’s body remains lifeless, right where he’d left it. But if Russell’s still taking a dirt nap, who’s in the cabin shouting obscenities at poor, messed-up Skyler right now? Bill Murray never had to deal with clones when they did this plot with him!

And so begins a long and bloody gauntlet, in which the heroic Milton and his darling Skyler attempt, ad nauseam, to murder her beau in increasingly gross ways over the course of a good 45 minutes, scrambling as they go to figure out why the day keeps resetting after each traumatizing turn. I especially enjoy the one with the meat cleaver, tossed casually past his throat without looking from across the room, in the middle of a conversation.

It’s interesting to watch Milton’s slow transition from wide-eyed concern over his situation to desensitized boredom at having to blow Russell up with grenades or brain him with a baseball bat. Despite his background, Milton’s not the sharpest of tools, and we did meet him at a point where he had been trying to get help for his issues. A never-ending killfest is probably going to set back his recovery a bit. Even after trying to leave this place, he just wakes up again in the same spot, back in the cabin with Skyler.

Finally, it hits him. This place was cursed after a bloody battle in which there was only one survivor. Even if they keep killing Russell, filling up a pit with his many bodies as they try a thousand different ways to loop a hole out of this scenario, they’ll be no closer to escaping, because Russell alone just isn’t enough. This tale didn’t end last time until all but one was killed. No matter what, poor Milton won’t get the girl, because one of them has to die so the other can live.

Now, you’d think that his choice is pretty clear here. Especially after Skyler takes him deeper into the woods to show him a whole field full of Milton corpses, proving that, in addition to super-killing Russell with him, she’s also been super-killing Milton with Russell too. He just didn’t realize it because his memory always dies with the rest of him and then he wakes up fresh, like it never happened. Alas, young Milt still has a thing or two left to learn.

Skyler’s told him that her feelings have changed and she really does want to be with him, and maybe this is an opportunity for them as a couple. They can just live in the cabin, under a weirdly specific curse that gives them new food and supplies every morning but copies their dead selves into extra living bodies with which to eat, drink, and bang as eternal millennials… K.

Somewhere around here, there’s a plot about Skyler attempting to meet with Russell’s old contacts and sell the drugs they’d been cooking, but honestly, this is where the movie starts getting a little long for me, and I start wondering about random things. Like, if there’s an afterlife, right, with pearly gates and clouds and stuff, does that mean that there’s seven dozen Russells floating around heaven right now because they keep killing him? Do they gather together to welcome their new brother to the fold every time the day resets? I guess he probably wouldn’t be in the “pearly gates” aisle anyway, but by this point in my musings, I’m distracted by the sudden appearance of Nabiki (Adelaide Kane) as one of the cranky goons Skyler and Milton attempt to sell the meth to.

After blithely implying they’ve shared a sexy backstory, to Nabiki’s enragement, Skyler realizes too late that these crooks aren’t letting them leave with the money. More carnage and Movie Awakenings ensue, until it’s finally clear that these two crazy kids just aren’t good for each other. After agreeing to stay at the cabin with Skyler forever, Milton pretends to follow through with his daily Russell-murder to test her loyalty. And Skyler even hangs in there for a millisecond or two as if eternal vacationing with Milt could actually be a thing. Unfortunately, she’s not as pure and holy as Milton hoped she’d be. She shoots him to death to free herself from the curse, assuming that this one will be permanent. When they all wake up and she realizes Milton’s deception, it’s a shock and a half. Guys, this movie is actually pretty clever.

Itching for some righteous payback after overhearing their argument, Russell takes advantage of the lovers spat and knocks them out, chaining them all together in the cellar with a gun. He decides they’re going to play a game of Russian Roulette to decide their ultimate fates. Whoever doesn’t paint the walls with their brains after passing the gun around a few times wins. Despite the fact that whoever has the gun could possibly just shoot someone else, including Russell, this sounds like a good plan to him. And since he’s got the gun, they’re in no position to disagree! It works out for them since he also decides to go first, and promptly kills himself for the last time.

The moment of truth arrives after a fight for the remaining loaded weapon ends with Milton aiming at Skyler. She makes a tearful claim that she knows he loves her, and because he’s a hopeless dope, he agrees, then turns the gun on himself. She tries to stop him, but it’s too late. Over his final, lifeless body, she cries. It’s all over now…

PSYCH! Here comes Adelaide’s Goon Squad, here to collect their bounty and send Skyler to sleep with the fishes. They’ve stepped onto the same soil that had trapped our witless trio for who-knows-how-long, so now they’re about to get stuck too! Skyler can only look at them and laugh, as the nightmare begins anew.

That… was actually kinda awesome. I knew it was a low-budget flick with a bunch of Ranger alums, and a steady diet of such endeavors had trained me to have very specific expectations. I’m happy to say, this is among a small few that surprised me. It’s not exactly fine art, even by horror standards, but I wasn’t ready for such a smartly-plotted film with so many interesting narrative turns. Milton and Skyler have a depth to them that I was unprepared for, accentuated most strongly in their final moments together when Skyler attempts to stop him from offing himself, even though we can sense that it still wouldn’t have ended well if she’d succeeded.

Perhaps it helped that Milo Cawthorne and Olivia Tennet were a couple both on and off-screen at the time, but their performances really shined through the (quite deliberately) cracked-out story. Ari Boyland gets the highest of fives for his delightfully psycho Russell and his ability to make all ten-million of his deaths either funny or disturbing, or both, and he’s still got the most convincing fake accent of all time. Joining the cast for a hot minute was our homie Mike Ginn, as Milton’s roommate at the rehab joint, who gets kicked out of his own room so Skyler can work her magic on Milt. Not doing much, but hey, it’s good to see him, and at least he doesn’t get axe-murdered. Not even once!

As a fan of the genre, it wasn’t a terrible stretch for me to get on-board for this movie, even without the actors a Power Ranger fan might recognize. Squeamish viewers may have a tougher time with the violence that, while often over-the-top and humorous, is still pretty brutal. I had a blast watching the old school practical effects work in play, from the exploding blood squibs to gruesome make-up work for various injuries.

I also loved, though I suspect it was not their intention, all of the times where the movie cuts away to avoid showing what would have been a dreadfully expensive effect that they probably had no money to pull off. It’s just a personal quirk of mine that I actually enjoy sensing the corners that get cut on low-budget productions. It just highlights the great things one can achieve even with somewhat limited means.

And, while I’m just a bit older than the kids in the expected Power Ranger demographic, I can’t help but get a blip of immature glee at hearing the PG-rated heroes of a kids show launch into a string of offensive language as casual as can be. It wouldn’t shock me to hear that the actors enjoyed shedding that image as well, even if it wasn’t for the first time since their days on the show.

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of movies starring actors from the PR franchise. I don’t know if I’d recommend a lot of them to anyone who wasn’t already intensely interested, knowing full well what they’re likely to get out of the deal. In the case of Blood Punch, we have a film that would stand up to the scrutiny of horror freaks (at least of this variety), that employs real characters, fun performances, and a story that delivers on the expectations its premise sets up for itself, in some cases, even exceeding them. It’s not a great film, but maybe if you squint, you’ll find a good one.

I mean, you know, if… if you’re into that sorta thing.

From the publisher of the critically acclaimed Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic series comes an original story set in the universe of the upcoming Power Rangers feature film.  This explosive, all-new tale picks up immediately after the events of Lionsgate’s highly anticipated movie, in theaters March 24, 2017.  See the film, then deep dive into the continued adventures of Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Zack, and Billy!

Written by Ryan Parrott (Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Batman: Gates of Gotham) and illustrated by artist Lucas Werneck.  Features an exclusive Previews cover edition by Greg Smallwood (Moon Knight) available only through your local comic book shop!

For $14.99, with a length of 96 pages, Power Rangers: Aftershock will be on sale March 29, 2017.

(Courtesy: PrometheusUFO and Morgan Lamia from Rangerboard)

You can purchase the Megazord online at Toys ‘R’ Us in the United States.

Also starring David Alpay, Sleigh Bells Ring premieres Sunday, December 18, 2017 only on Hallmark Channel.

(Courtesy: kalenabear from Rangerboard)

Thanks to IGN, we have high-resolution posters of all five Power Rangers from the upcoming film adaptation. Click on the links below to download.

Red Ranger
Pink Ranger
Blue Ranger
Yellow Ranger
Black Ranger

With a screenplay by John Gatins and story by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless and Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands. It will be released in theaters on March 24, 2017.

(Courtesy: Morgan Lamia from Rangerboard)

The first movie toy, exclusively at New York Comic Con, will be a limited-edition Legacy Collection Movie Red Ranger with his sword and power coin! Only 1,000 have been made and each day, there will be limited quantities available at Bandai’s booth, #1628.

Here’s a first look at the Red Ranger’s sword for the Power Rangers movie coming out on March 24, 2017:

Actor and comedian Bill Hader has been named as the voice of Zordon’s faithful robot assistant Alpha 5 in the Power Rangers film slated for 2017.

Most famous for his years on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Hader has also racked up many movie roles, from Officer Slater in Superbad all the way to Aaron in the popular Amy Schumer comedy Trainwreck.  His voice acting credits include Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Inside Out and the upcoming Smurfs: The Lost Village.

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

Panel will be held on Saturday, October 8th at 2:00pm at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Lionsgate has said that we will be getting a “first look” at the movie. Since we’ve had many looks via pictures, one would assume that we’ll be getting a teaser trailer at the very least. Hope springs eternal!

After Dr. Albert Beck miraculously saves a teenage girl from drowning during Spring break in Mexico, he shows up at her school back home to check on her – and pursue his obsession.

Also starring Eric Roberts and Hilary Greer, it premiered this past Labor Day and will repeat on Sunday, September 18 @ 9PM ET on Lifetime.

(Courtesy: GoldAnyRanger from Rangerboard)

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands. It will be released in theaters on March 24, 2017.

He mistakenly left out pink but mentioned green. Is the Green Ranger going to appear in the film or was this just a flub on Cranston’s part? The jury is still out.

Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actor Bryan Cranston has been named for the role of the mighty mentor Zordon in the Power Rangers film slated for 2017.  His numerous acting credits include the lead role of Walter White on Breaking Bad, the hilarious dad Hal on Malcolm in the Middle, as well as the big screen turn portraying a real-life scandalized screenwriter in Trumbo and the stage performance as President Lyndon B. Johnson in the play All The Way, later turned into an HBO movie of the same name in which he also starred.

But Power Rangers fans will always know him best as the voices of Snizard and Twin Man from the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.  His work on the show inspired the writing staff to give Billy his last name.

Here’s what Bryan had to say about the news through his first tweet on the subject:

Excited to play #Zordon in the #PowerRangersMovie!

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

We have already seen an official cast picture and an official picture of Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa, but we haven’t heard anything else about other staple characters we’ve grown to love (or hate) from 1993’s Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. Sure, we’ve been introduced to Jason’s father who is “at odds with his son over Jason’s football career”, but that has pretty much been it. Until now.

There has been much talk about the tone for this movie and whether it will borrow the humorous side from the TV show. For many people, Bulk (Paul Schrier) and Skull (Jason Narvy) were the levity that the show needed from the typical “civilian activity, putty fight, battle” pattern each episode fell into.

So the question is: Will the characters of Bulk and Skull appear in the movie? The answer: No.

Sources tell us that in place of Bulk and Skull will be two mean girls that the rangers encounter. No word yet whether Schrier nor Narvy will make an appearance in the film.

(Photo courtesy: Mary Clavering/Young Hollywood/Getty Images)

The Hollywood Reporter reports that David Denman (13 Hours, The Gift) will be playing Sam Scott, the father of Jason (Dacre Montgomery) in the upcoming Power Rangers movie. Sam is “often at odds with his son over Jason’s football career.”

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ – Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, announced that production on Saban’s Power Rangerswill commence today in Vancouver. The film stars Elizabeth Banks as arch-villain Rita Repulsa, along with new Power Rangers Dacre Montgomery, RJ Cyler, Naomi Scott, Becky G, and Ludi Lin. The film is a production of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.

Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat.  Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.

The film stars Dacre Montgomery (A Few Less Men) as Jason the Red Ranger, RJ Cyler (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) as Billy the Blue Ranger, Naomi Scott (The 33) as Kimberly the Pink Ranger, Becky G (Empire) as Trini the Yellow Ranger, Ludi Lin (Monster Hunt) as Zack the Black Ranger, and Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect, The Hunger Games franchise) as Rita Repulsa.

Directed by Dean Israelite (Project Almanac),Saban’s Power Rangers is written by John Gatins (Kong: Skull Island, Real Steel), Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama (Dracula Untold), Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor), and Max Landis (Chronicle). Producers are Power Rangers creator Haim Saban, Brian Casentini (Power Rangers TVseries), Wyck Godfrey, and Marty Bowen (The Twilight Saga, The Fault in Our Stars, The Maze Runner franchise).

Allison Shearmur (The Hunger Games franchise; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)and Brent O’Connor (Warcraft) serve as executive producers. Brian Tyler (Avengers: Age of Ultron; Now You See Me)is the composer andKelli Jones (Straight Outta Compton, Sons of Anarchy)is the costume designer. Set decorator is Oscar-nominated Hamish Purdy (The Revenant) and stunt coordinator is Paul Jennings (Game of Thrones, San Andreas, The Dark Knight). Weta Workshop (The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, District 9) is in charge of suit design and visual effects. Andrew Menzies (Fury, X-Men)is the production designer and Director of Photography is Matt Lloyd (Daredevil, Cop Car).

ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. The Company has nearly 80 television shows on 40 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses.  These include the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication successesThe Wendy Williams Show and Celebrity Name Game (with FremantleMedia), the breakout series The Royalsand the Golden Globe-nominated dramedy Casual.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, Sicario, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate’s The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions’ Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films’Addicted and Pantelion Films’ Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate’s home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

ABOUT SABAN BRANDS
Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) acquires and develops a world-class portfolio of properties in the entertainment and lifestyle sectors. SB applies a global 360-degree management approach to growing and monetizing its brands through content, media, marketing, distribution, licensing and retail to markets worldwide and consumers of all ages. Saban Brands Entertainment Group (SBEG) develops innovative branded content that resonates with consumers across all media platforms. SBEG’s growing entertainment portfolio of brands includes Power Rangers, Popples, Glitter Force, Cirque du Soleil – Luna Petunia, La Banda and others in development. Saban Brands Lifestyle Group (SBLG) drives major expansion within the company’s diverse portfolio of fashion and lifestyle properties. SBLG’s portfolio currently includes Paul Frank, Macbeth, Mambo and Piping Hot. SB operates a global network of offices inLos Angeles, New York, London and Sydney. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.

Actress Elizabeth Banks has been named for the role of the villain Rita Repulsa in the Power Rangers film slated for 2017.  Her most recent acting credits include The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect film series, as well as TV shows 30 Rock and Scrubs.

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

In terms of long term goals, the success of the first Power Rangers movie is significantly more important to Lionsgate than the success of the final Divergent movie. All due respect, the sci-fi teen lit franchise is basically playing itself out at this point, and it’s not like Lionsgate has to keep interest above room temperature in the hopes of spin-offs or prequels or whatever every studio wants to do whenever a franchise ends.

He also gives credit to the studio for snapping up Ludi Lin right before his film Monster Hunt makes big money in China.

(Courtesy: Goseired11 from Rangerboard)

Entertainment publication Deadline reports that Lionsgate is doing a little reworking of their 2017 schedule.  The final film in the Divergent series has been moved into the summer release slate, meaning that newly open slot in the spring season will go to the upcoming Power Rangers film instead.  Get January 13 out of your heads, the premiere will now be two months later, on March 24, 2017.

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.

[TIME:] Were you a Power Rangers kid growing up?

[Becky:] For sure. I think for some people, they’re like, “Isn’t Power Rangers cheesy?” No! What’s so cool about being a part of this is we’re going to give it a whole new identity. It’s going to be so much more creative and so much more relevant to now. I feel like a lot of kids, and even people older, too, are really going to be able to relate to it.

[TIME:] That’s what I’m interested in—why now? What does a Power Rangers reboot have to offer the world in 2017?

[Becky:] I can’t say much about it, but like I said, I feel like it’s going to be so relatable. It’s not just, “Morphin’ time!” [Gomez puts her hands together and acts out the old morphing sequence.] Literally you’re going to see these kids grow up in front of your eyes. That to me is going to be so cool to play because this is my first movie ever. I was just in Vancouver, where we’re going to be shooting, and apartment-hunting—I’ve never lived on my own! This is a whole new experience for me, and this character is also experiencing something new for her as well.

[TIME:] I like the taco necklace you’re wearing, by the way—that would be the best gift I’ve ever received if someone gave it to me.

[Becky:] Thank you. Well, I’ve been trying to eat healthy because I have to be a Power Ranger, and if I can’t eat the food, I want to wear it.

(Courtesy: Goseired11 from Rangerboard)

Then [my agent] sends me this role, didn’t tell what it was for, and I’m like, ‘Girl I ain’t got time for this! I’m tired, I’m on a tour bus. I don’t feel like self-recording, reading these lines.’ And she’s like, ‘Becky, they won’t leave me alone.’ Like just record it and I’ll leave you alone. So a few days went by and I was like I’ll just record it. I sent it in and she’s like you know what this is for? I was like what? And it was Power Rangers. Then I was excited! And when I was reading the lines, it felt cool, like the character. Later, she tells me that the director saw it and that he loved it and he would like to meet me. It’s a casting process so they have to see other people for the same role. It was between me and a couple other people, but I got the call that I was going to be the yellow Power Ranger. It just felt so right. Yellow is my favorite color, so I was like this is meant to be. [Laughs] I’ll be filming at the top of next year in Vancouver, Canada.

(Courtesy: NightMere10 from Rangerboard)

IT’S MORPHIN TIME, Jason, Kimberly, Zack, Billy & Trini! #PowerRangersMovie, coming 2017!

(Courtesy: @PowerRangers via Twitter)

Singer Becky G has been named for the role of the Yellow Ranger in the Power Rangers film slated for 2017. Her acting credits include a recent role on Fox’s Empire.

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

RJ Cyler has been named for the role of the Blue Ranger for the Power Rangers film slated for 2017. His work includes Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and the upcoming War Machine starring Brad Pitt.

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

Ludi Lin has been named for the role of the Black Ranger in the Power Rangers film slated for 2017. His work includes a small role in the Marco Polo series on Netflix and the Chinese film Monster Hunt.

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

Dacre Montgomery has been named for the role the Red Ranger in the Power Rangers film slated for 2017.  His work includes Betrand the Terrible and Family Tree.

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

Naomi Scott has been named for the role of Kimberly cast as the Pink Ranger in the Power Rangers film slated for 2017. Her recent work includes The Martian and Terra Nova.

Updated 10/8/15: Saban Brands nor Lionsgate have not yet mentioned the character’s name of the Pink Ranger.

(Courtesy: @PowerRangersMovie via Instagram)

Under the production code “SHIRT”, filming is currently scheduled to take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from January 18 through April 12 of next year.

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.  It will be released in theaters on January 13, 2017.

When I was very young I lived in Japan for three years. It was at a time when there were probably four stations. All you could watch were Japanese-language shows, so I started to fall in love with Japanese superheroes. When I moved out to Los Angeles in the early ’90s, I’d nostalgically watch the Power Rangers, and it would put a smile on my face. Now I watch it with my 3-year-olds. Some of these stories were wonderful, and it’s exciting trying to update it for a modern audience.

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.  It will be released in theaters on January 13, 2017.

• Jason – 17 years old, the makings of someone or something great if he would just get out of his own way. Jason was a legend of this town—a freshman quarterback with the skills to take him all the way. People knew his name. Children wore his jersey. Until, one night Jason wrapped his car around a pole and busted out his knee. Everything Jason was going to become ended in an instant. And with it, he lost himself. When we meet him at the start of the film, he’s a kid in need of redemption. By the end, he’ll be leading this disparate group of teens to shed their individual baggage and find who they truly are.

• Kimberly – 17 years old, unconventionally cool all in a way the popular girls wish they were. In fact, she was one of those girls, but isn’t anymore. Not since she’s returned to school after an absence of 6 months. Rumors are flying as to why; rumors she seems not to care about, because she’s come back with this new rebel-without-a-cause, edgy attitude. But the truth is, it’s all masking a deep secret that makes her feel profoundly vulnerable.

• Trini – 17 years old, mysterious and extremely bright. Her parents constantly move for work, making Trini the perpetual new girl to any school. A loner who owns it, Trini is self-sufficient, contemplative, but always observant. All she wants is to find her gang of friends, but she’ll never admit it – least of all to herself.

• Billy – 17 years old, slight and awkward. Billy is challenged in his abilities to communicate and interact socially. Whip-smart and sweet, but always odd. Sometimes in a fun way, sometimes not, Billy is a kid with no filter. Showing his emotions, understanding sarcasm, and dealing with his OCD is a constant challenge. Has never really had any friends and instantly gravitates towards Jason.

• Zack – 17 years old, always the life of the party. Filled with bravado and swagger, Zack’s tough and cool on the exterior. A charming guy who’s never had trouble with the one-liner, nor lacked confidence around women. A great athlete that’s never wanted to play on any team but his own. Zack advertises everything about himself, except the truth, which is that he lives in a trailer park with his single mom, and because of it, feels deeply inferior to all his peers.

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, directed by Dean Israelite, and produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.  It will be released in theaters on January 13, 2017.

Israelite: We’re in a soft prep phase right now doing a bunch of design work. We’re creating, or I should say re-imagining, the world in a cool, updated, contemporary, really fun way. I think it’s really exciting and we’re on a really interesting, surprising track. I can’t wait to start shooting, which will be in a few months.

Movies.com: Did Joseph Khan’s Power Rangers short create a big headache for you?

Israelite: No, but I wasn’t on the project yet. I’ve only been on the project for, I think, four or five weeks. To me, I think it’s just a demonstration of how vibrant and vital the brand is. I think it’s really exciting that it got so much play. It’s encouraging that there are adults, like me, who are still fans and grew up on it and still want and have an interest to see the Power Rangers matured and brought to screen.

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, and produced by Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.  It will be released in theaters on January 13, 2017.

Johnson last year put on her iconic pink Power Rangers suit and busked in downtown Toronto after she surpassed her $75,000 Indiegogo fundraising goal. “I’m not very squeamish. It was a lot of fun,” she told the Hollywood Reporter  about her mini-concert; Johnson’s friend David Yost, who was Blue Ranger on Power Rangers , came up with the idea.

The movie is set to begin shooting in Guelph, Ontario, Canada this July.

(Courtesy: ranger_scout from Rangerboard)

“I think it’s going to be a fun, joyful [movie] but one that feels completely grounded in a real world, with real characters going through real things.”

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, and produced by Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.  It will be released in theaters on January 13, 2017.

From Lionsgate Motion Pictures Group Co-Chairman Rob Friedman:

“We’re very excited and with Dean’s [Israelite] vision; we felt very comfortable looking for opportunistic dating,” he explained.  “We really believe that great movies deliver no matter what date they’re on.”

And from Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer:

“We’re picking a date where we think we can win.”

Directed by Dean Israelite, written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, and produced by Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.  It will be released in theaters on January 13, 2017.

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, and produced by Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.

Dean Israelite, whose directing credits include the time-traveling feature film Project Almanac, is said to be a huge fan of the Power Rangers and apparently turned down opportunities to direct other high-profile franchise films waiting for one that properly suited him.

From Variety:

Israelite seemed like a long shot for the job, given the popularity of the property and his relative inexperience helming feature films, but after a presentation that blew away studio execs, Lionsgate is said to have decided to give Israelite the job fairly quickly.

Written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, and produced by Haim Saban, Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur, this film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.  It will be released in theaters on July 22, 2016.

As of now, all other credits remain in tact.  Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz are still at work on the screenplay, with the project produced by Haim Saban, Saban Brands head of development Brian Casentini, and former Lionsgate president of production Allison Shearmur.

The movie will be released in theaters worldwide on July 22, 2016.

Mark your calendars! The upcoming Power Rangers movie from Lionsgate and Saban Brands will be premiering in theaters July 22, 2016.

In the interview, he discusses how he became aware of the opportunity, the lengths he went to get the job, and that we may be in for a more intricate approach to the writing than we may have previously thought.

We’re not just a leave it behind reboot. [Haim] Saban cares very much about that.

Also of note, Orci mentions that before a director will be considered, Lionsgate will need to be presented with a script to shop around.  He will be collaborating with screenwriters Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz on the story.

Being brought in to craft the screenplay are Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz, whose writing credits include the feature films X-Men: First Class and Thor, as well as select episodes of the TV series Fringe and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

In addition, Roberto Orci, whose writing credits include The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Star Trek Into Darkness and the first two Transformers movies has signed on as an executive producer.  He will be collaborating on the story elements with Miller and Stentz.

This film is a development of Lionsgate and Saban Brands.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor as a father, daughter and her boyfriend who help to save Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots from the threats of not only their robotic enemies, but their human ones.  Erika plays one of the analysts working at the CIA.

(Courtesy: GoldAnyRanger from Rangerboard)

Last week, Amy Jo Johnson posted on Twitter her interest in seeing what the upcoming Power Rangers movie has in store.

Beyond curious to see what @HaimSaban & @lionsgatemovies does w/ 3rd Power Ranger film I WANT TO PLAY IVY OOZE!!

First off, Ivan Ooze will forever be called Ivy. Blue Ivy ain’t got nothing on him! Second, Amy Jo as the villain and not just “good gal on a spell?” Yes. Yes indeed. Make this happen!

Then Landis took to Twitter and started posting his opinions about reboots. Hmmm…

Reboots should focus on the fun ideas at the center of the original property. “Dark and gritty” isn’t for everything. Something that was fun and colorful should remain fun and colorful. Just up the intelligence and the character. That was what the first JJ Trek did so well, or Winter soldier, or even the new Godzilla. As a writer, the last thing I’d want would be to force a tone that doesn’t belong onto a story. Tone is story. That said, if the property wasn’t open to evolve, I’d want no part and get out ASAP.

But then posts the following:

As I’ve said before, as of right now, I am not directly involved in Power Rangers. Whether I have been or will be again, no comment. The good news is, regardless of whatever’s happening in Angel Grove, I have three, possibly four movies coming out next year. So…yeah.

Hmmm indeed. On May 16th, Landis took to Twitter again and posted the following:

The worst part of being a recognizable, accessible screenwriter is that all of your minor failures or successes are broadcasted. Imagine if you were an actor, and every audition you went on and didn’t get, it was announced you “failed” to get the part. Or let’s say you were in a movie, and shot your scenes, and now what happens next you don’t control. that’s like screenwriting. So far I’ve had one movie, with one tone. The ones that are coming are all VERY different from Chronicle, and each other. I have a very specific trajectory and goal for myself, and I’m trying to get there before the movie industry falls apart completely. So you can imagine how bizarre it is to hear these voices yelling opinions about scripts they’ve never read, projects that do or don’t exist. Oh well, haters gonna. for now.

So I ask you to do at least one of two things:

1) If you’re on Facebook, “like” her facebook page for the film and tell her that No Pink Spandex sent you.

2) Donate on the Indiegogo page (as much as you can, even a dollar) and comment on the page that No Pink Spandex sent you.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDn4bUiogSo[/youtube]

Amy Jo Johnson will be starring and directing her film Crazier Than You. The film is based off of a screenplay she wrote about her mother’s journey. No word yet on when shooting will start.

[youtube width="480" height="295"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHhTwhCcPek[/youtube]

[youtube width="480" height="295"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQWnPVOSZKg[/youtube]

(Courtesy: greencandle77 via Rangerboard)

[youtube width="480" height="295"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LidARyopxPw[/youtube]

[youtube width="480" height="295"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJYPQVZbZA4[/youtube]

(Courtesy: Rise and Fail Movie Blog)

Matt Austin (Bridge from Power Rangers SPD) is raising funds to shoot his newest film One Day You Will Paint a Sunset. One of the ways he’s raising funds may be beneficial to you.

He’s currently auctioning off on eBay his SPD Red Ranger suit that he used on Operation Overdrive’s “Once a Ranger” teamup. It’ll be signed by Matt and Brandon Jay McLaren (Jack from Power Rangers SPD).

You have until Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 to own this rare item. Good luck!

[youtube width="480" height="295"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SneO5KuogE[/youtube]

(Courtesy: Twitter, The Daily Beast)

(Courtesy: Akared30 via Rangerboard)

Disney, on the other hand, thought Power Rangers didn’t “fit in [their] long-term programming strategy or with the Disney brand,” said Disney spokesman Jonathan Friedland.

(Courtesy: The Huffington Post)

The film is marked on IMDB as being “in production”. Who knows if this will ever see the light of day. But again, there is a trailer:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uqjb77cGeE[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG5_bHsU9-k[/youtube]

I’m going to watch just to see how many times they plug Walmart and use product placement. Can’t wait!

(Courtesy: PrometheusUFO via LiveJournal)

Here are a couple of pictures from the set:

Johnny Yong Bosch looking on with David Wald (middle).

You can view more pictures at the Love Like Bullets Facebook page.

[vimeo width="480" height="270"]http://vimeo.com/9068854[/vimeo]

(Courtesy: Fight Sport Marketing)

Jason and Justin Trapp of Fighter Portraits also talked about the upcoming documentary Four Weeks Out. The premise is following Jason around as he prepares for his debut MMA fight. Three times a week, they’ve been filming everything from training to regular day-to-day life. The goal is to shop the documentary to TV networks, but they say there will be a DVD.

You can here the entire show below, and if you scrub up to the 1:17:40 mark, you’ll hear Jason talk about No Pink Spandex for a quick second!

[audio:nps_espn975_in_the_cage_011910.mp3]

[youtube width="480" height="295"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc0ODuEYp5o[/youtube]

(Courtesy: Nic via Rangerboard)

According to Jason, details still have to be worked out. Work ‘em out, boys!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acIzMclRd8k[/youtube]

For those who are still unaware, Thuy passed away September 3, 2001 in a car accident. She was 27.

(Courtesy: MSN Movies)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDyYZ_SJAnA[/youtube]

(Courtesy: Top of the Cahill)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU6xq2_KSDw[/youtube]

[youtube width="480" height="295"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ5VCGxmWLU[/youtube]

Poor Johnny can’t catch a break with these movies though. First, Broken Path is only sold in Africa, and now this!

(Courtesy: puperazzi via Rangerboard)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0fPLN459_I[/youtube]

The movie will be available in Canada on November 3rd in stores and iTunes, and HMV is currently taking pre-orders. No word on when it will be available in the US, but info is coming soon.

(Courtesy: Don’t You Forget About Me: The Blog)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeXeysn_mjw[/youtube]

(Courtesy: IO9)

(Courtesy: Amazon.com)

Click here to watch the trailer without annoying commentary.

To learn more about this documentary, go to the official site or check out their blog.