Summary
Lord Drakkon is the darkest version of the original Green Ranger, andPower Rangersdesperately needs this version of the character to help save the franchise.Power Rangersis a period of transitionfollowing theend ofCosmic Furyand the reported cancellation of the Netflix reboot. With no updates regarding a potential newSuper Sentaiadaptationnor a clear indication of whether the plannedNetflixPower Rangersshowwill be reworked into something else, 2024 marked a year of uncertainty for the franchise. While I’m surePower Rangerswill be fine in the long term, the series needs something fresh.
WhetherPower Rangersshould continue to coverSuper Sentaior move into original productions is open for debate, but the fact is that the franchise has a lot of untapped potential. Sadly,the 2017Power Rangersmovie flopped, making it difficult for the saga to continue on the big screen. However, that does not mean that thePower RangersTV show cannot reinvent itself. BOOM! Studios’Power Rangerscomics have shown that even theMighty Morphinera can make for exciting new stories. This includes the “Shattered Grid” arc, one of the bestPower Rangersstories ever told.
I Know Exactly What Power Rangers’ New Show Should Be (If A Reboot Doesn’t Happen)
The Power Rangers universe set up a major storyline twice in 2023 that should be revisited before the long-awaited reboot eventually happens.
Power Rangers Desperately Needs Live-Action Lord Drakkon
Drakkon Could Be The “Thanos” Of A Power Rangers Universe
The initial run of BOOM! Studios’Power Rangerscomic book series introduced an alternate universe where Tommy Oliver, the original Green Ranger, never turned good again even after betraying Rita Repulsa. This alternate Green Ranger was described as the only version of Tommy Oliver in the entire multiverse who followed a dark path, making him both dangerous and fascinating. Now calling himself Lord Drakkon,this version of Tommy killed Rita Repulsa and replaced her as the world’s newest tyrant.However, one universe was not enough for him. Lord Drakkon soon learned how to travel between realities.
A live-action Lord Drakkon could be just whatPower Rangersneeds for its new show.
After killing Rangers from all across the multiverse and stealing their powers, Lord Drakkon became one of the strongest entities inPower Rangers. This was the premise of “Shattered Grid,” a multiversal event that brought countless Power Rangers from multiple universes and timelines together to fight Lord Drakkon and save all existence. Arguably the most popularPower Rangerscharacter that is not in the TV show,Lord Drakkon’s story was one of BOOM! Studios’ biggest hitswith the brand still have a lot of untapped potential. A live-action Lord Drakkon could be just whatPower Rangersneeds for its new show.
How Power Rangers Can Bring Lord Drakkon To The TV Show
Drakkon Would Not Work In The Current Power Rangers Show
It is safe to say a character like Lord Drakkon would not work in thePower Rangersshow’s current format. Not only is Drakkon’s story very dark and involves him killing beloved characters, but much of his lore ties into the storylines that were never part of the TV show. WhileeveryPower RangersTV show is canon to the comics, the events of the comics are not necessarily canon to the show. BOOM’s books work better when they are assumed to be part of a differentPower Rangerschronology.
1993
1995
1996
1997
2002
2004
2005
2014
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel (cameo)
2017
Therefore,the best way to bring Lord Drakkon to the screen would be through a reboot, either in live-action or animated. A new, more maturePower Rangersseries based onMighty Morphinwould allow for stories like “Shattered Grid” to be brought to the screen while also playing with nostalgia.Power Rangersdoes not need moreMighty Morphin, but it cannot be denied how big that particular brand is. IfPower Rangersever revisitsMMPR, a reboot pulling elements from the comics would be the best way to do it.
Lord Drakkon’s Live-Action Debut Would Mean Recasting Tommy Oliver
Replacing Jason David Frank As Tommy Would Be Difficult
Seeing Lord Drakkon in live-action or an animated series would be very bittersweet. On the one hand, one of the coolest charactersPower Rangershas ever created would finally make their screen debut. On the other hand, it would mean recasting the late Jason David Frank as Tommy Oliver.Power Rangersnever had a history of recasting characters, butTommy Oliver is intrinsically tied to David Frank’s portrayal.There has never been another live-action version of Tommy, not even in the 2017 movie. Following up JDF’s legacy as Tommy would be difficult for any actor.
Jason David Frank played Lord Drakkon in a commercial forPower Rangers' “Shattered Grid” event.
That said, an adaptation of Lord Drakkon’s origin story would have to recast Tommy regardless considering it takes place around the same time as the originalMighty MorphinTV show, just in another timeline. APower Rangersreboot would also have to recast the other original heroes, which the franchise has never done outside of the 2017 film. Drakkon’sPower Rangersstory is tied to the multiverse, though, meaning a reboot based on the comics could acknowledge the existence of the TV show’s original universe and even reference the previous actors.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Cast
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers marks the beginning of the Power Rangers franchise, centering on a group of teenagers with attitude who transform into superheroes. They are tasked with defending Angel Grove from the evil witch Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd, Emperor of evil, along with their monstrous minions.
