Power Rangers has been synonymous with the Mighty Morphin era for decades, and while some may argue that it’s time to move beyond it, I believe there’s still room for fresh interpretations of the original team. Since its finale in 1995, the Power Rangers universe has revolved around the foundational series. Iconic characters like Jason and Tommy have continued to make appearances in subsequent seasons long after the Zordon Era finished. With a vast array of comics, video games, and movies inspired by this original cast, it’s clear that the franchise’s legacy is deeply intertwined with MMPR.
While there have been numerous Power Rangers teams, the original characters—Jason, Kimberly, Tommy, and the others—remain the most recognizable to general audiences. The critical role that MMPR plays in the franchise’s identity cannot be overstated, which is why I advocate for the upcoming Power Rangers series on Disney+ to be a reimagining of the original series rather than simply a continuation.
A New Dawn: The Case for a Mighty Morphin Reboot
What We Know About the Upcoming Disney+ Power Rangers Series
The anticipated Power Rangers show on Disney+ presents a golden opportunity to re-envision the franchise. Although we’ve seen a single reboot of Mighty Morphin—specifically the 2017 film—this adaptation ultimately fell flat at the box office, squashing hopes for a revived movie franchise. This leaves many possibilities unexplored for what a modernized MMPR could look like.
While it’s notable that two Mighty Morphin films exist—namely the 1995 movie and the 2017 reboot—neither of these films integrates into the official show canon. Remarkably, despite its significance as the cornerstone of the franchise since the 1990s, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers holds immense potential that remains largely untapped. A fresh format, coupled with a bigger budget and narratives aimed at a more mature audience, could revitalize the series. A prime example of this potential is seen in the BOOM! Studios comics that are predominantly set in the Mighty Morphin timeframe, displaying how creatively revitalizing this revered series can breathe new life into its legacy.
Why the Original Power Rangers Remain Iconic
The Success Potential of a Well-Crafted Mighty Morphin Reboot
Apart from the 2017 film—widely deemed an intriguing take—Mighty Morphin has yet to receive a proper reboot for modern audiences. The majority of Power Rangers seasons fall within the same continuity, with only a couple of exceptions like R.P.M. and Dino Charge due to potential narrative discrepancies. A reboot that establishes a completely new universe while revisiting MMPR holds considerable excitement for fans and newcomers alike.
This might seem contradictory: the most frequently utilized Power Rangers season is simultaneously the one with the richest potential for reinvention. From the complex personalities and challenges faced by the “five teenagers with attitude”to the intricate worldbuilding surrounding Zordon and Rita Repulsa, the original Power Rangers series provides abundant material for a captivating modern adaptation.