Showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz, known for their work on “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” are in discussions to write, showrun, and produce a live-action “Power Rangers” series for Disney+ and 20th Century Television, as reported exclusively by TheWrap.
Produced by Hasbro, this new series aims to reinvent the beloved franchise for a fresh generation of fans, while also captivating those who have cherished the Power Rangers universe for years.
The original ’90s TV series, “The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers,” drew inspiration from the Japanese children’s show “Super Sentai,” incorporating footage from it. The series followed five teenagers who could “morph” into superheroes, known as the Power Rangers, equipped with their own mech fighters. A film adaptation featuring much of the original cast was released in 1995, followed by a second film in 1997, which included only a few original cast members.
Over the past 25 years, the Power Rangers franchise has seen numerous adaptations and iterations.
In 2017, Lionsgate and Saban Film attempted to reboot the original franchise with a darker, young adult adaptation. However, the film only grossed $142 million against a budget of approximately $100 million, leading to the cancellation of plans for a larger franchise.
In 2018, Hasbro acquired the Power Rangers franchise, aiming to unlock its full potential across various divisions of the company.
The development of the “Power Rangers” series is part of Hasbro Entertainment’s broader strategy to enhance storytelling by producing series based on iconic brands, collaborating with top talent, studios, and distribution platforms. Alongside “Power Rangers,” Hasbro Entertainment is also working on a re-imagining of “Clue” in partnership with Sony’s TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Television; a live-action “Dungeons & Dragons” series, “Forgotten Realms,” at Netflix, produced by Academy Award nominee Shawn Levy; an animated “Magic: The Gathering” series, currently in production at Netflix; and game shows based on “Trivial Pursuit” and “Scrabble,” which debuted on The CW last fall.
Steinberg is the co-creator, executive producer, and showrunner of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” for Disney+, which recently wrapped its second season and has been renewed for a third. He has also contributed to the critically acclaimed series “The Old Man,” featuring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow for FX. Both series are produced by 20th Television/The Walt Disney Company, where Steinberg and Shotz have established their production company, Quaker Moving Pictures, since 2019.
Both Steinberg and Shotz are represented by WME.
The news about Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz’s involvement in the live-action “Power Rangers” series at Disney+ first appeared on TheWrap.
