For better or worse, fans of Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are about to experience a re-imagining of the mega-popular 90s franchise via a brand-new POWER RANGERS movie from Lionsgate and Saban Films. Since the announcement of the multi-colored and multi-cultural teens making their return to the big screen began, the internet has been on fire with cheers, jeers, and speculation as to design choices for characters like Rita Rupulsa (Elizabeth Banks), Goldar, and others for the 2017 reboot. Today, thanks to Toys “R” Us, we’ve been given a better look at the Putties (Rita’s capering minion horde) as well as a first-look at the 7” fliphead figures from Bandai.
Judging from what I can see in the photos, it appears as if the Putties will forgo the bumbling “mime-from-Hell” motif (yes, I’m aware that the Putties make use of their vocal chords) for something more akin to that of anthropomorphic construction site materials. While different, I think it’s cool that the Putties look as they’re formed by matter and objects littered around the area of battle as opposed to just teleporting in from wherever. Here’s hoping that their bulk and sharp, protruding parts will present them as a more menacing adversary for the Rangers – instead of the one-punch-and-done nuisances they’ve been in past incarnations.
Expected for a February release, the fliphead figures will include Dacre Montgomery's Jason and Ludi Lin's Zack. And because these are “fliphead” figures, boys and girls of every age will be able to switch between the character’s Ranger and civilian appearances.
POWER RANGERS will be morphing its way into theaters on March 24, 2017.