While generations of Power Rangers have come and gone over the last twenty-four years, the original team has always retained a special place in the pop consciousness. That fact has only been highlighted in the wake of the franchise’s recent big screen reimagining, courtesy of director Dean Israelite. Without question, one of the most memorable members of the original team was Black Ranger Zack, as played by Walter Jones. With his sense of humor and hip-hop infused fighting style, he brought a singular presence to the series. While Walter’s availability during the recent Great Philadelphia Comic Con was extremely limited, he was nonetheless kind enough to sit down with us for a quick interview, during which we covered the impact of ‘Power Rangers’, his thoughts one the franchise’s cinematic reboot, and his involvement with ‘The Order’.
Science Fiction: What is your favorite thing about being a Ranger? Whether it’s a memory from your time on the show or a moment with a fan that stands out from the pack.
Walter Jones: I think my favorite thing about being a Power Ranger is that we meet fans all the time that tell us that we were positive in some form or fashion in their life. How we may have inspired them to be something greater than what they thought they would be or how we helped them to get through something that was traumatic in their life. And just knowing that I’ve been there for people without even knowing it is an amazing gift.
SF: That really is remarkable. You saw the new film, right?
WJ: I did, yeah.
SF: What did you think of it generally and in terms of what they did with the character of Zack?
WJ: I thought they did a good job. Ludi Lin was quite an interesting character. Very different from what the character Zack was like, you know when I portrayed it, but I thought he did a great job with it and I thought the movie was very entertaining.
SF: Along with several of your fellow cast members, you’re also involved with ‘The Order’. What can you tell us about your role in the film?
WJ: I play a character named Cole within the film. I can’t talk too much about what it is, but I’m definitely a character that’s very independent.
SF: Do you have any other projects coming up you’d like to share with us?
WJ: You know what? Right now besides ‘The Order’ I have ‘Gideon’s Frontier‘ and I’m currently doing comic cons around the world.
For more from Walter Jones, including updates on all of his current and future projects, make sure to check out his website and follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And while you’re at it, be sure to check back with ScienceFiction.com for all the latest news on ‘Power Rangers’ and ‘The Order’!
