Former Red Ranger Dacre Montgomery Confirms We Were Denied a Power Rangers Film Tetralogy

Why It Matters

The news shows that even high‑budget franchise launches can be scrapped if initial returns fall short, influencing how studios evaluate sequel commitments. It also signals a shift toward streaming‑first revivals for legacy IPs like Power Rangers.

Key Takeaways

• Power Rangers (2017) was slated as a four‑film Lionsgate deal.
• Film cost over $100 million but failed to recoup its budget.
• Box‑office shortfall halted the planned tetralogy, ending franchise launch.
• Disney+ is developing a new Power Rangers series with Percy Jackson creators.
• Montgomery’s interview highlights studios’ reliance on immediate profitability for sequels.

Pulse Analysis

The 2017 "Power Rangers" reboot arrived with a hefty $100‑million budget and a clear agenda: to launch a four‑movie saga that would revitalize the nostalgic brand. Lionsgate, fresh off the success of its "Hunger Games" series, banked on a similar franchise model, lining up talent like Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks, and Bill Hader. However, the film’s modest box‑office returns—just enough to cover production costs—prompted the studio to pull the plug on the remaining three installments, illustrating the razor‑thin margin between a franchise greenlight and a financial dead‑end.

Industry observers note that the Power Rangers case mirrors other high‑profile misfires, such as the DC "Dark Universe" and Marvel’s "Eternals" multi‑film contracts, where studios committed to extensive sequel pipelines before confirming audience appetite. Lionsgate’s swift retreat underscores a growing caution: studios now demand near‑instant profitability before extending multi‑picture deals, especially for legacy properties lacking a proven modern fan base. This shift pressures filmmakers to deliver both critical acclaim and strong opening‑week numbers, reshaping how franchise potential is assessed in an era dominated by streaming competition and franchise fatigue.

Looking ahead, the Power Rangers brand may find new life on Disney+, where a series helmed by the creators of "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" is in development. Streaming platforms offer lower financial risk and the ability to test audience engagement episode by episode. For studios, this represents a pragmatic path: revive beloved IPs through serialized storytelling rather than costly theatrical tentpoles. The Power Rangers saga thus serves as a cautionary tale and a blueprint for how legacy franchises can adapt to the evolving media landscape.