Breaking Down the Potential 2017 ‘Power Rangers’ Cast
Variety has reported that a slew of young Hollywood actors will begin testing for 2017’s Power Rangers, set to be directed by Project Almanac helmer Dean Israelite with a script by Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz of X-Men: First Class and Thor. Based on the information, I can say that for the most part, they’ve chosen well!
From Variety:
Sources tell Variety the studio is about to begin testing young talent, looking at up-and-coming actors and actresses to make up the team. Sources say Daniel Zovatto (“It Follows”), Ross Butler (“Chasing Life”) and Brian “Sene” Marc are among those testing for Zack (aka the Black Ranger), while KJ Apa (“Shortland Street”), Austin Butler (“The Shannara Chronicles”) and Mitchell Hope (“The Descendants”) are testing for Jason (aka the Red Ranger).
Sources also say Naomi Scott (“The Martian”) and newcomer Stephanie Scott are up for the role of Kimberley (aka the Pink Ranger). Insiders say the studio is looking for fresh faces to fill out the team and will probably look for a big name to play the antagonist for the films, though no offers have been made for that part.
These are quite the batch of promising young stars, but let’s break them down by character and see how well each candidate would portray our beloved teenagers with attitude. As of now, we only know the potential candidates for Jason, Zack, and Kimberly.
Let’s take a look at Zack. For a refresher, here is the rumored character description.
17 years old, always the life of the party. Filled with bravado and swagger, Zack’s tough and cool on the exterior. A charming guy who’s never had trouble with the one-liner, nor lacked confidence around women. A great athlete that’s never wanted to play on any team but his own. Zack advertises everything about himself, except the truth, which is that he lives in a trailer park with his single mom, and because of it, feels deeply inferior to all his peers.
Proposed actors: Daniel Zovatto, Ross Butler, Brian Marc.
WOW. They’re really uncomfortable casting a black actor for Zack, and in some ways that’s a bummer. Power Rangers never intentionally casted by skin, but the producers they must feel as though they just can’t get away with letting Zack the Black Ranger be black. While people object to that, the Black Ranger has become an icon for black millennials, and to see that changed would turn ticket-buyers away from the movie. From what I gather, Brian Marc — who doesn’t have much of a body of work to judge him by — is of mixed race.
Ross Butler, however, is Asian. His acting credits are a bit longer than Brian Marc’s, mainly in some Disney stuff and TNT series. He’d be an interesting choice: Besides being Asian and bucking Asian stereotypes (again, read his rumored description), he has a cool air about himself — necessary for Zack –that I’d be excited to see.
Of course, Daniel Zovatto is the highest profile actor, having been on the horror hit It Follows and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. While I hope Zack stays an actor of color, Zovatto would be equally exciting as the Black Ranger.
My personal hope is that Ross Butler gets it. Just because it would be a really significant step for Asian men and POC superheroes. Zovatto wouldn’t be bad either but I don’t think he needs Power Rangers, and sadly Brian just doesn’t have enough for me to judge from.
Now, Kimberly.
17 years old, unconventionally cool all in a way the popular girls wish they were. In fact, she was one of those girls, but isn’t anymore. Not since she’s returned to school after an absence of 6 months. Rumors are flying as to why; rumors she seems not to care about, because she’s come back with this new rebel-without-a-cause, edgy attitude. But the truth is, it’s all masking a deep secret that makes her feel profoundly vulnerable.
Proposed actresses: Naomi Scott, Stephanie Scott.
Both actresses are exactly what they’re looking for: young, pretty, and up-and-coming. Both have respectable resumes (Naomi Scott was just in The Martian, although I honestly don’t remember her character). She was, however, a star in Terra Nova, which I did not see enough of to judge her from. It’s also worth mentioning she’s British-Indian, which is a rad departure from the brunette Valley Girl that Kimberly originally was.
Stefanie Scott, just 18 years-old and having starred in Insidious 3 and the upcoming Jem and the Holograms, IS your typical blonde-looking teen, and is a pop star as well. I always imagined a pop star actress would be Kimberly.
In the end, what matters for Kimberly is that she needs to be smarter and more clever than she appears to be. She has to be beautiful, yes, but she’s also not a dumb Barbie. She’s whip-smart and clever, and deceptively so. That’s what’s needed for Kimberly. Either Naomi or Stefanie would be good, but I think Naomi would be more interesting.
Now, Jason.
17 years old, the makings of someone or something great if he would just get out of his own way. Jason was a legend of this town — a freshman quarterback with the skills to take him all the way. People knew his name. Children wore his jersey. Until, one night Jason wrapped his car around a pole and busted out his knee. Everything Jason was going to become ended in an instant. And with it, he lost himself. When we meet him at the start of the film, he’s a kid in need of redemption. By the end, he’ll be leading this disparate group of teens to shed their individual baggage and find who they truly are.
Proposed actors: KJ Apa, Austin Butler, Mitchell Hope.
I think I’ve mentioned how much I hate they’re departing Jason from his martial arts roots, but what kid could relate to karate when their dads want them playing football?
Disappointingly, all actors are white dudes, and none of them remotely resemble what Jason should be. I don’t get a square-jawed hero vibe from any of them, and even with his emo-laced description I just don’t see any of these guys fitting that role. Mitchell Hope is the closest one, but I’m still not sold.
Is Jon Foo too old? They can just CGI the shit out of him into looking like a teenager, right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjIEL6fUOUA
Neither Trini nor Billy‘s proposed performers were mentioned by Variety (maybe I should audition!), but they’re bound to be filled soon.
Power Rangers is set for release on January 13, 2017.
