Based on Saban’s TV show of the same name, Power Rangers centers on five teenagers Jason (Darce Montgomery), Billy (RJ Cyler), Kimberly (Naomi Scott), Trini (Becky G), and Zach (Ludi Lin) whose lives are forever changed when they discover five power coins and an alien ship beneath their hometown of Angel Grove. Despite their differences and their real-life struggles, they must come together as a united force to defeat the evil Rita Replusa from achieving her goal to destroy the Earth.

We were invited to attend the Power Rangers‘ press day to learn more about what director Dean Israelite did to respect fans of the original, while also creating new fans, and what were some of the inspirations to John Gatins script.

Check out what they had to say below.

As a kid who grew up in the 90s, I practically lived and breathed Saturday morning TV, and nothing said get up early to watch shows than the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. It has been nearly a quarter of a century since the American version of the popular Japanese Super Sentai aired. Since then, over 20 different themed Power Rangers shows have aired and two different theatrical films were released.

Now, a whole new version will hit theaters next week in Power Rangers. Directed by Dean Israelite (Earth To Echo), the film is a callback to the first show that aired in the U.S. But this time there is a whole new group of kids: Jason Scott (Dacre Montgomery) Kimberly Hart (Naomi Scott), Billy Cranston (RJ Cyler), Trini (Becky G), and Zack (Ludi Lin) who will morph into a new team to fight a different kind of Rita Replusia (Elizabeth Banks).

We were fortunate enough to sit down with a group of our fellow journalists to talk to the cast and crew about making the film and appealing to the older fans while also drawing in new audiences. We also learned about the fight training and what it was like for the young cast to star opposite Banks. Check it all out here below.

Power Rangers
Director: Dean Israelite
Screenwriter: John Gatins
Cast: Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, Ludi Lin, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks
Distributor: Lionsgate
Rated PG-13 | 124 Minutes
Release Date: March 24, 2017

“Different Colors. Different Kids. Different Colored Kids.” The Power Rangers are the zeitgeist of 90’s Saturday morning television. But the series isn’t exactly the sparkling example of quality acting and writing. None of that really mattered as a kid as long as the title heroes defeated the monster of the week. So in an age where TV shows are getting the big-screen adaptation treatment, it was only a matter of time before studios would take their eyes on our Saturday morning cartoon favorites.

As fans got older so did the franchise. The Power Rangers constantly changed teams, themes, and stories. But one thing remained true: it was always going to be campy. However, with this new reboot, titled simply Power Rangers, we are introduced to a few more bold ideas, like the introduction of a gay character as a ranger, and one ranger who has Autism. These new ideas are a reflection of the world that we live in today, gives way to those who are trying to find out who they are the impression that they have someone they can relate to. That in itself gives hope and inspiration while also being fun and nostalgic. My full review of the film below.

Ahead of the panel scheduled to be held on Saturday at 12:30 pm in the San Diego Comic-Con’s fabled Hall H, Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. have unveiled the first poster for their upcoming giant monster movie spectacle Kong: Skull Island.

You can check out the poster here below.

Last week, the first image from Kong was revealed. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts and stars Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and John Goodman are expected to be in attendance for the Saturday panel.

The plot details of Kong: Skull Island have been kept under wraps since the cast has been coming together. We do know that the film stars an eclectic and exciting roster that is made up of Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Hawkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Wilkinson, John C. Reilly, and Jason Mitchell.

But as there are new reports that John Goodman is also joining the cast of the film, new plot details are emerging, and it tells us something very different than what was previously reported. More on the story below.

Two legendary beasts are about to fight for the title of King of Monsters once more. King Kong and Godzilla are set to appear in an untitled mega monster showdown over at Warner Bros. According to a new report, Kong: Skull Island will now be moving from Universal Pictures over to WB, so that the production house can have a shared monster universe under one nice studio.

With Legendary already owning the rights to Godzilla, the move makes plenty of sense, but it doesn’t make it any less surprising since Universal is losing yet another major property so that their competition can create a shared universe. More on the story below.

Last weekend, Straight Outta Compton took the number one spot at the box office for the second week running, and looking at the schedule of films, it might take it again for a third. The success of that film will definitely help increase the actors’ stock with the film’s stars like Corey Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Jason Mitchell likely to get more high profiled roles.

In fact, Hawkins has already been building himself to be a major star even before he landed the role of Dr. Dre by signing on for Universal and Legendary Pictures’ Kong: Skull Island. As the film prepares to shoot for a fall start date, there are new reports confirming that he will be joined by his fellow Straight Outta Compton co-star Mitchell. More on the story below.

Universal and Legendary’s monster movie Kong: Skull Island isn’t scheduled to start shooting until October, but the script continues to be perfected, and the cast continues to grow. Their latest addition will now be Toby Kebbell (Fantastic Four, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes). He will be joining Tom Hiddelston and Brie Larson, as they will play as a team of explorers who venture into the mysterious, creature-laden isle.

More on the story below.

It is only a matter of weeks before Legendary’s King Kong-prequel Skull Island, starring Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson, starts to film, but not before a final script is turned in. This isn’t anything new, as scripts are constantly being rewritten in order to perfect the narrative, and now Universal is doing an in-house hire before the script can be finalized. According to a new report, Jurassic World co-writer Derek Connolly has been tapped to polish the script.

More on the story below.

Following the news that Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Short Term 12), and Russell Crowe were in talks to appear in Skull Island, Legendary’s reimagining of the story of the home island of King Kong, comes word that the film may add a couple of big names to the cast. According to a new report, the studio is eying Samuel L. Jackson (The Avengers, Pulp Fiction), Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins, Michael Clayton), and John C. Reilly (Wreck-It Ralph, Guardians of the Galaxy) to the cast. They’d be joining Tom Hiddleston and Straight Outta Compton star Corey Hawkins.

Check out the full story below.