Production officially kicks off on Power Rangers; first synopsis released

The Power Rangers were absolutely huge when I was a kid, and even though I wasn't a big fan of them, there was no denying their impact as almost every kid on the playground was playing with Power Rangers or pretending to be them. The Power Rangers continued on in various forms over the years but the original characters are set to return in a big way with the release of a brand-new feature film. Production on Lionsgate/Saban's POWER RANGERS officially kicked off in Vancouver today and a new synopsis has been released which seems to indicate that they're sticking fairly close to the source material.

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.

POWER RANGERS will be directed by Dean Israelite and is set to star 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 (THE HUNTER GAMES) rounding out the cast as the villainous Rita Repulsa.

POWER RANGERS is set for a March 24, 2017 release.