‘Saban’s Power Rangers’ doesn’t arrive until March, but Lionsgate has been pumping out promotional material for months– photos, posters and a trailer that might have raised more questions than answers. Also up and running is the website angelgrovehighschool.com also known as The Roar, after the fictitious school’s tiger mascot. Every Monday, The Roar is updated with new images and stories pertaining to the student body. (You can also follow The Roar on Instagram to receive updates directly.) The site is “in character” meaning it’s written like a real student online newspaper (i.e. fluff) but offers a bit of background on the main characters prior to the opening of the film.
For instance, we see a “New Student” profile on Trini (played by Becky G.), followed by a letter to the editor from Trini pointing out that she isn’t a new student at all and has been at Angel Grove High for over a year and that no one notices her because she’s so quiet.
A profile on star quarterback Jason (Dacre Montgomery) hints that his dedication to football may stem from pressure from his father. We also learn that he has been suspended from the team after a prank gone wrong.
This football photo seems run of the mill enough, but if you look in the background, you’ll see Jason (in the white tee shirt) looking sad that he isn’t on the field.
A profile on Billy (R.J. Cyler) points out how intelligent and studious he is, but indicates that he winds up in detention for some unknown reason. (I’m sensing a ‘Breakfast Club’ homage.)
Similarly, a fashion profile on Kimberly (Naomi Scott) states that she was once the school’s Queen B, but that after… yep, detention, she chopped off her long hair and has been rocking the “rebel chic” look.
There’s no information on Zack (Ludi Lin) yet, but it’s surely coming.
There is some other info as well, all of which is masked as student paper drivel but which may hint at certain plot points in the movie.
As a bonus, a new image of Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa has been released:
Banks’ Rita bears no resemblance to the version from the classic TV show, but we do know that there is some close connection to the Rangers. Some have speculated that she is a disgraced former Ranger, specifically the Green Ranger. But that’s just a fan theory, so take that with a grain of salt. But as we know, on the original series, Rita created the Green Ranger, so even if she isn’t herself a former Green Ranger, this would logically connect her to him/her, when they do appear. (Most likely in the sequel, but don’t rule out a post-credits stinger.)
Are you catching the Angel Grove High School spirit?
Directed by Dean Israelite, ‘Saban’s Power Rangers’ stars Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston, R.J. Cyler, Becky G, Ludi Lin, Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, Lisa Berry, Caroline Cave, David Denman, Anjali Jay, Sarah Grey, Emily Maddison, Kayden Magnuson, Fiona Fu and Patrick Sabongui with the voice of Bill Hader and hits theaters on March 24, 2017.
Source: Comic Book Resources
