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Power Rangers Reboot: Why Bringing Back the Green Ranger Too Soon Could Ruin Everything

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My preferred character from the Power Rangers series is the original Green Ranger, but if the upcoming show turns out to be a remake of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, it’s crucial they avoid repeating Tommy Oliver’s dangerous mistake. Although there are rumors that a new Power Rangers series is in development on Disney+, details about the project remain scarce. All we know so far is that neither Toei nor Saban are involved (as reported by Deadline). There are various ways Power Rangers could reboot the franchise, one possibility being a fresh take on the original series within a new storyline.

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve grown up with countless tales spun around the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR), from the original TV series to the numerous comics and video games that followed. Reflecting on this rich legacy, I can’t help but feel that reviving Mighty Morphin for a modern, more mature streaming-based TV series might be an intriguing proposition. The comic books have consistently demonstrated that the world of Mighty Morphin warrants revisitation, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing such narratives unfold in live-action with a substantial budget.

However, rebooting MMPR presents the Green Ranger conundrum. This iconic character has the potential to either elevate or derail the new series, requiring careful consideration and execution to ensure a successful integration into the narrative.

If Power Rangers’ New Show Is A Reboot, It Can’t Just Be All About Tommy

Tommy Is Great, But He Can Easily Overshadow Other Characters

Starting with the arrival of the Green Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Tommy quickly emerged as the main character and focal point of the series. Before Jason, Trini, and Zack departed from the team, Tommy had already established himself as the most intriguing figure in the show. Unlike other core characters, Tommy’s storylines often spanned multiple episodes, with his powers serving as a significant plot element for nearly an entire season. By the time Tommy permanently lost his Green Ranger abilities, it was hard to imagine Mighty Morphin Power Rangers without him.

Looking back, it was clear that the enigmatic White Ranger being crafted by Zordon and Alpha would ultimately be Tommy. Similarly, Tommy’s significant promotion in “Power Rangers” might have seemed puzzling unless you were aware that Austin St. John was departing the series. However, the White Ranger turned out to be an ideal replacement for Jason, marking the beginning of several episodes during the Zordon Era where Tommy not only led but also held the spotlight. Tommy’s influence expanded steadily, eventually making him the Red Ranger as we moved into “Zeo.

In any instance when Tommy was involved in the Power Rangers series, be it a show, film, or comic book, the spotlight often fell on him. This occasionally resulted in some memorable scenes, but it also had its drawbacks for the franchise. Tommy was frequently the one to rescue the day or join the fray last in crossovers, which made it seem as though the other Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR) and Zeo characters didn’t carry as much significance. To avoid this issue in a potential MMPR reboot, it would be beneficial for the initial focus to be on the original five characters rather than Tommy.

Power Rangers Focused Too Much On Tommy Oliver For Several Years

From MMPR To The Crossovers

In a more natural and easier-to-understand manner:

Tommy’s popularity, often referred to as “Tommy mania,” extended beyond his Green Ranger days and the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series. The Power Rangers Zeo storyline heavily revolved around Tommy, with significant events like Kimberly’s letter and his romance with Kat serving as pivotal moments for the show. However, despite Tommy being a central figure, his character development in the Power Rangers series was not substantial enough to warrant all the focus he received. Although Tommy did undergo significant changes from his villainous Green Ranger days to his team leader era, this transformation only scratched the surface of his character growth. Essentially, the Tommy portrayed in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 3 is not much different from the one in Turbo.

Power Rangers Movies/Shows Tommy Oliver Appeared In
Movie/Show Release Date
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1993
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie 1995
Power Rangers Zeo 1996
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie 1997
Power Rangers Turbo 1997
Power Rangers Wild Force (cameo) 2002
Power Rangers Dino Thunder 2004
Power Rangers S.P.D. (in costume only) 2005
Power Rangers Super Megaforce (cameo) 2014
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel (cameo) 2017
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always (in costume only) 2023

I was delighted to observe the emergence of a fresh batch of Turbo Rangers, paving the way for one of my cherished periods of the Power Rangers series, specifically the Space season. However, despite the initial Turbo Rangers departing halfway through, this wasn’t the conclusion of Tommy’s involvement in the franchise. A few years down the line, Tommy made a grand comeback in “Forever Red,” an episode where Tommy and Andros formed a group of various Red Rangers. “Forever Red” is a memorable Power Rangers episode, wrapping up with all the other Rangers honoring Tommy’s legacy.

In the subsequent tale, two years later, Tommy’s Power Rangers chronicle was continued in the series called Dino Thunder. Unlike previous series such as Zeo and Turbo, Dino Thunder made a unique departure with Tommy’s character, offering what I believe to be the most compelling portrayal of him. Aged and wise, this Tommy represented a logical progression for a character who had spent the majority of his life as a Power Ranger. The late Jason David Frank would later reprise his role in both Super Megaforce and Super Ninja Steel, with Tommy teaming up with other legendary Rangers on both instances.

The Green Ranger Should Not Be Included In A Power Rangers Reboot’s First Season

A Power Rangers Reboot Should Save Tommy For Season 2

In the popular series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the original Green Ranger made a relatively swift entrance, appearing after just 16 episodes featuring the initial five characters (Jason, Kimberly, Zack, Billy, and Trini). Although this time was sufficient for them to establish themselves as cultural icons, I think it would be fascinating to have an extended season solely focusing on these original team members. If there’s a reboot of MMPR, my suggestion is to devote an entire season to the original team before introducing Tommy and the Green Ranger storyline in the subsequent season.

The “Green With Evil” storyline from Power Rangers is so iconic that it deserves its own standalone season. Even though established Power Rangers fans are already well-versed in Tommy’s backstory, a reboot should cater to both old and new viewers.

The perfect contemporary Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series would initially focus on the development of the original five characters, much like the 2017 Power Rangers movie did, before shifting the spotlight onto Tommy. Although it wouldn’t hurt to catch a glimpse of Tommy in the initial season of an MMPR reboot, his character might be too significant to have a minor role throughout.

Tommy Should Still Play A Big Role In A Power Rangers Reboot

Tommy Still Has Untapped Potential In Live-Action

Despite the original series of Power Rangers giving too much emphasis on the years, it doesn’t negate the fact that Tommy should have a more significant role in any potential reboot. After all, some of the most memorable and iconic moments in Power Rangers history revolve around Tommy. From the “Green With Evil” storyline to leading a new team as the White Ranger, Tommy plays a crucial role within Power Rangers for good reason. Not to mention his appearances in the comics, with many popular BOOM! Studios books centered around him in some capacity.

I’m really keen on witnessing the live-action version of “Shattered Grid” and Lord Drakkon. The fact that the original Power Rangers series didn’t delve into comic book elements makes this even more intriguing. A fresh take on “Green With Evil” followed by a TV adaptation of “Shattered Grid” would be thrilling! No matter the storyline, for the new Power Rangers show to succeed, it needs to blend nostalgia with innovative concepts.

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2025-04-30 06:20

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