Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always Premieres On 19th April
TUNE IN TO NETFLIX FOR A ONE-OFF SPECIAL TO CELEBRATE THE SHOW’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY
**Spoilers ahead!**
Next week sees the premiere of a Netflix Power Rangers special entitled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always on Wednesday, 19th April. We’ve already seen plenty of hype and excitement for the show’s 30th anniversary (including the release of new Hasbro/threezero 1/6 scale figures), but the one-off show promises to be the most anticipated event, with the return of former rangers and villains who have not featured in the show for several decades.
Go, Go, Power Rangers!
What Is the Plot of The New Power Rangers Special?
The official Netflix tagline states: “After tragedy strikes, an unlikely young hero takes her rightful place among the Power Rangers to face off against the team’s oldest archnemesis.”
Sources have confirmed that the main catalyst for the events of the show is the death of Trini Kwan – the original Yellow Mighty Morphin Ranger – at the hands of Rita Repulsa (the principal nemesis and archenemy in the original series). After capturing several ex-Power Rangers and tearing them away from their quiet lives, the classic protagonists are again forced to battle their old rival.
Thuy Trang, the original actor who portrayed the Yellow Ranger, sadly died in a car accident in 2001. Therefore, Trini Kwan’s on-screen death will be used as a narrative choice to avoid featuring her as a main character, as this would involve recasting the role. Instead, the character’s daughter, Mihn (played by Charlie Kersh), will take on her mother’s mantle to battle against Rita Repulsa.
Fans were shocked to see Rita’s return in the Netflix official Power Rangers trailer, as the villainess had renounced evil at the end of 1998’s Power Rangers in Space, going on to become the Mystic Mother in 2006’s Power Rangers Mystic Force. The character appears to be in robotic form along with iconic villains Mighty Minotaur and Snizzard, perhaps explaining how they have managed to return. Fans were also excited to see Rita’s weird and wonderful foot soldiers, the Putty Patrollers, accompanying her in the trailer.
We’re interested to see how the new Power Rangers special will explain the return of the Ranger’s powers and what the now-grown-up characters have been up to over the years.
Which Original Power Rangers Are Returning for The New Netflix Show?
The new Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always special takes place 30 years after the series premiere. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the show will be the return of former classic Rangers, in addition to the villains.
So, which former action heroes will step up once more to pilot the Zords?
Billy Cranston (played by David Yost) and Zack Taylor (played by Walter Emanuel Jones) – Blue and Black Ranger
Billy is the longest-lasting member of the original team, and it would have been a considerable blow not to snap up actor David Yost for the new special. He starred in nearly 200 episodes of the series before departing in 1996, so his first new on-screen return to the franchise will be one to savour. Here’s hoping we get to see him wield the double-bladed Power Lance again!
Zack was always a popular playground favourite among 90s kids, with a cool, easy-going, enthusiastic, upbeat manner and a stylish suit colour everyone wanted to wear. He also fought with a dynamic combat style, which we look forward to seeing used to kick some Putty butt again in the upcoming Netflix special.
Adam Park (played by Johnny Yong Bosch) as Black Ranger
The character of Adam Park replaced the original Black Ranger in the show’s second season and has a considerable history in the show, featuring in the 1995 Power Rangers Movie and other series.
Aisha Campbell (played by Karen Ashley) as Yellow Ranger
Aisha originally replaced Trini as the Yellow Ranger for season two, going on to star in the movie and the rest of the original series.
Rocky DeSantos (played by Steve Cardena) as Red Ranger
Rocky took on the mantle of the Red Ranger in season two, being one of the three new Rangers to join the team at the time.
Katherine Hillard (played by Catherine Sutherland) as Pink Ranger
Kat replaced the original Pink Ranger ahead of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 3 and remained in the role for many years, including a starring role in films such as Power Rangers Turbo.
Will There Be a New Power Rangers TV Series?
A new ten-episode Netflix show, Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury, will hit the streaming service later this year, around September. It will follow on from the events of the Netflix special and will be the 30th season of the long-running show!
