Power Rangers reboot begins testing actors for lead roles
Casting is underway for Lionsgate’s upcoming Power Rangers reboot, and Variety brings word on a number of young actors and actresses up for three of the main roles.
Up for the role of Jason/The Red Ranger are KJ Apa (“Shortland Street”), Austin Butler (“Arrow,” “The Carrie Diaries”) and Mitchell Hope (“Descendants”).
Testing for the role of Zack/The Black Ranger are Daniel Zovatto (It Follows), Ross Butler (“Chasing Life”) and Brian “Sene” Marc (“Major Crimes”).
Finally, testing for the role of Kimberly/The Pink Ranger are Naomi Scott (The Martian) and Stephanie Scott (Insidious: Chapter 3).
The outlet goes on to say that the studio is seeking young talent for the roles of the Rangers themselves and will likely go to big name stars for the film’s antagonists.
Screenwriters Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor) wrote the screenplay for Power Rangers, which is described as a modern reinvention of the long-running franchise. In it, a group of ordinary high school kids find themselves infused with extraterrestrial powers and must harness those powers as a team to save the world. Original creator Haim Saban is acting as producer along with Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur.
Saban’s “Power Rangers” franchise is the brainchild of Haim Saban, creator and producer of the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” hit series that launched in 1993. Following its introduction, “Power Rangers” quickly became the most-watched children’s television program in the United States and remains one of the top-rated and longest running boys live-action series in television history. The series follows the adventures of a group of ordinary teens who “morph” into superheroes and save the world from evil. It is seen in more than 150 markets around the world, translated into numerous languages and is a mainstay in the most prominent international children’s programming blocks.
20th Century Fox previously released two feature films, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie in 1995 and Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie in 1997.
Set to be directed by Project Almanac‘s Dean Israelite, Power Rangers will debut in theaters on January 13, 2017.
(Photo credit: Guillermo Proano/WENN.com)
