It’s goodbye lycra as the five teens who make up thePower Rangersin the upcoming movie reboot ditch their old costumes for something a little more form fitting. And what could be more body hugging than brightly colored spandex? How about translucent extraterrestrial armor that crystallizes around their bodies? Because that’s what this team is getting in the upcoming 2017 adventure. And we have a first look courtesy ofEntertainment Weekly.
Changing an iconic look for 20 year old characters in what is a very beloved franchise is a risky proposition, but it looks like these latestPower Rangershave gotten a pretty cool upgrade. Thecampy costumeshave gone into the dustbin as theseAngel Grove high schoolersget ready to battleRita Repulsain a fight to save the earth. Pictured below in their new super suits areBecky Gas Yellow Ranger Trini,Ludi Linas Black Ranger Zack,Dacre Montgomeryas Red Ranger Jason,Naomi Scottas Pink Ranger Kimberly, andRJ Cyleras Blue Ranger Billy. While these new costumes might look radical, they are actual a throwback to thePower Rangers' earliest roots and mythology. Says director Dean Israelite.
“The show was about kidscoming of age, about metamorphosis. These suits needed to feel like they were catalyzed by these kids and their energy, their spirit.”
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 spandex-free costumes are meant to help separate this team from other recent superhero blockbusters. Says production designer Andrew Menzies, who also helped update the look for Hasbro’sG.I. Joe Retaliation.
“It’s tricky finding a new language for a superhero costume. Ours is an alien costume that grows on them, that’s not man-made. You can’t win everyone over, but we are trying to appeal to a more mature audience and gain new fans.”
We’ll have to wait and see how fans respond to these new costumes. But early adaptors include the actors themselves. In fact, Yellow Ranger Becky G already has plans to keep her costume and use it later in the year. She exclaims.
“It’s the coolest costume ever. I’m gonna wear it for Halloween for, like, five years.”
The newPower Rangerscostumes will be on full display in this week’s edition of Entertainment Weekly. This exciting reboot, which featuresElizabeth Banksas Rita Repulsa, will be in theaters July 28, 2025. Though the movie is still a full year away and currently in production, don’t be surprised to see the first teaser trailer sooner than later.
