Honestly, the 2017 Power Rangers movie was kinda an underdog. When you bring back a franchise as deeply rooted in 90s nostalgia as this one, there's always a big risk of alienating old fans while failing to capture a new audience. The film, directed by Dean Israelite, certainly tried to bridge that gap, giving us a grounded, almost Breakfast Club-meets-superheroes vibe. It fundamentally changed a lot of the established lore, but the core of its attempted magic rested entirely on the shoulders of the five relatively unknown young actors chosen for the Power Rangers 2017 movie cast. They had a monumental task: inject real human drama and relatability into characters who, for decades, had basically been walking, talking toy advertisements.
And you know what? They did a pretty great job, considering the script they had to work with.
When Lionsgate and Saban announced the casting choices, it was clear they weren't going for A-list star power. They wanted fresh faces—actors who could authentically embody the awkwardness and turmoil of modern high schoolers who suddenly gain superpowers. This decision was a huge gamble, but one that paid off in performance, if not necessarily at the box office.
From Unknowns to Zords: The Core Five of the 2017 Cast
Let’s break down who these young actors were and the kind of pressure they were under. They weren't just playing superheroes; they were re-defining cultural icons.
Dacre Montgomery: The Brooding Leader, Jason Scott (Red Ranger)
Before Power Rangers, Dacre Montgomery was a relative newcomer from Australia. His biggest claim to fame soon after, of course, would be his star turn as Billy Hargrove in Netflix's Stranger Things. But in 2017, he was essentially an unknown commodity. His portrayal of Jason, the Red Ranger and team leader, was deliberately flawed. He was a former high school football star, benched after a mistake, carrying the weight of being the prodigal son trope.
Montgomery brought a very intense, often quiet energy to the role, a stark contrast to the perpetually cheerful Jason of the original series, Austin St. John. The film’s approach to the character was to show a kid struggling with his identity, not a born leader. People sometimes forget how much heavy lifting Montgomery did to make that moody, internalized conflict believable amidst all the CGI morphing sequences.
Naomi Scott: The Outcast with a Past, Kimberly Hart (Pink Ranger)
Naomi Scott was perhaps the most established of the bunch, having previously appeared in Disney Channel’s Lemonade Mouth and the short-lived Terra Nova. Choosing her for Kimberly, the Pink Ranger, was a fascinating choice. Kimberly, in this version, wasn't just the popular valley girl with a great sense of style; she was a girl who had committed a genuinely mean, awful act of cyberbullying that led to her expulsion. That's a huge departure, transforming a beloved character into one that had to actively seek redemption.
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Scott played this vulnerability beautifully. Her scenes—especially the ones where she grappled with the consequences of her past actions—were some of the most emotionally resonant in the movie. It’s no surprise that following this, she landed the massive role of Princess Jasmine in Disney’s live-action Aladdin remake, proving her incredible range and screen presence.
RJ Cyler: The Heart and Soul, Billy Cranston (Blue Ranger)
RJ Cyler’s performance as Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger, was arguably the film’s biggest win. Billy, traditionally portrayed as the genius nerd, was reimagined here as a character on the autism spectrum. Cyler, who had previously shone in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, brought a genuine sweetness and earnestness to the role that grounded the whole operation.
His character was the first to find the power coins, and his struggle wasn’t just about feeling like an outsider but also about dealing with anxiety and loneliness. The moment he successfully teleports the team—and his huge, relieved grin—is a truly memorable bit of acting. He made Billy the emotional anchor of the Power Rangers 2017 movie cast, turning what could have been a flat tech-geek role into the most beloved part of the ensemble. That kind of layered performance is why fans still talk about Cyler’s portrayal.
Becky G: The Rebel, Trini Kwan (Yellow Ranger)
The casting of Becky G, a well-known singer, as Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger, was one of the more high-profile decisions. Trini’s character arc revolved around her being the "new kid" constantly moving because of her parents' jobs and struggling with her identity, particularly the unspoken pressure of her sexuality.
It was revealed in the movie that Trini was struggling with girlfriend problems, making her the first LGBTQ+ cinematic superhero. Director Dean Israelite confirmed this subtle but significant detail, stating that while it was a small moment, it was important for representation. Becky G brought a necessary toughness and distance to Trini, a character who was trying hard to keep the world out, which felt very authentic to a teenager grappling with big personal questions.
Ludi Lin: The Class Clown, Zack Taylor (Black Ranger)
Ludi Lin, another relative unknown from China, took on the role of Zack Taylor, the Black Ranger. Zack, in the 2017 iteration, wasn't just the cool, sarcastic one; he was a kid dealing with the crushing pressure of caring for his sick mother in a trailer park, masking his fear and exhaustion with bravado and humor.
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Lin balanced the character's manic energy—often seen doing reckless things on the side of a cliff—with an underlying desperation. He used the Black Ranger persona as a sort of escapism. It was a darker take on Zack than fans expected, showing that even the class clown can be hiding a complicated, painful reality.
The Veterans and the Monster: Supporting Actors That Added Gravitas
It wasn't just the teens who made an impact. The supporting cast featured some heavy hitters who provided the necessary gravitas to anchor the fantastical elements.
Bryan Cranston: The Floating Head of Wisdom
Yes, the Breaking Bad star played Zordon, the Rangers' mentor. It's kinda funny to think about, but Cranston actually had history with the franchise—he reportedly did voice work for the original series in the '90s! His role as the consciousness trapped within the ship, the Alpha 5-assisted guiding force, gave the film a serious, dramatic backbone. Cranston’s voice alone lent an immediate, weighty sense of history and consequence to the story.
The film's explanation for Zordon—a former Red Ranger whose consciousness was preserved—was a major canonical shift, but Cranston’s authoritative, slightly exasperated delivery made it feel important and believable, even when he was just a huge, shimmering face.
Elizabeth Banks: A Villain We Kinda Loved to Hate
The choice of Elizabeth Banks to play Rita Repulsa, the film's main antagonist, was a stroke of genius. Banks played Rita as unhinged, maniacal, and completely terrifying, a far cry from the campy, over-the-top villainess of the original series. This Rita was also a former Green Ranger, another significant rewrite that tied her directly into the lore and Zordon’s past. Banks leaned into the theatricality of the character, making every scene she was in pulse with chaotic energy. She wasn't just chewing the scenery; she was basically eating the whole set.
Banks understood the assignment perfectly: deliver a big, fun, terrifying performance that the young actors could genuinely react to. Her contrast with the quiet, internalized drama of the main cast really sharpened the conflict.
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Why the Power Rangers 2017 Movie Cast Couldn't Save the Sequel
Despite the strong ensemble, particularly the performances from the five core Rangers, the film didn't quite hit the commercial marks required to instantly greenlight the planned sequels. It grossed $142 million worldwide on a production budget of $105 million, which meant it was not a flop, but also not the runaway success needed for a major franchise restart.
What really happened? Honestly, a lot of industry insiders and critics, like those at Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, point to a few things. First, the long build-up. The Rangers don't even fully "morph" into their classic suits until the final, climactic act. This grounded, slow-burn approach, while interesting for character development, felt like a tease for fans who were there for the spectacle. Second, the tonal inconsistency was jarring; it bounced wildly between serious teen angst and a brightly colored, absurd monster battle.
Ultimately, the casting was the high point. The film proved that the five leads had the charisma, chemistry, and acting chops to carry a major blockbuster. The fact that the Power Rangers 2017 movie cast has since gone on to star in some of the biggest films and TV shows of the last decade is proof positive of the strength of that ensemble selection. They were the right actors for the job, but perhaps the movie itself wasn’t quite the right vehicle for them.
The Legacy: Where Are the Rangers Now?
The true measure of the casting’s quality is the undeniable trajectory of the actors' careers since 2017.
- Naomi Scott: As mentioned, she became Princess Jasmine and has starred in Charlie's Angels (2019).
- Dacre Montgomery: His run as Billy Hargrove on Stranger Things made him a household name globally.
- RJ Cyler: He’s been in major projects like Black Lightning, Scream: Resurrection, and the critically acclaimed film The Harder They Fall, showing off his versatility.
- Becky G: She’s continued to focus primarily on her immensely successful music career, dominating the Latin pop charts.
- Ludi Lin: He leveraged his martial arts background and screen time into other action roles, notably playing Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat (2021) reboot.
The producers weren't just searching for five people to wear colorful suits; they were basically conducting a highly successful talent scout. The film served as a genuine launching pad for serious careers, showing that sometimes, even if a movie doesn’t quite land with the expected explosion, the talent it discovers can still blow up the industry.
The next steps for anyone who loved this specific take on the franchise should be pretty clear: check out the other projects these actors have tackled. Watch Dacre Montgomery in Stranger Things to see his dramatic intensity, or catch Naomi Scott's vibrant performance in Aladdin. It’s the best way to appreciate the raw talent the 2017 casting director managed to assemble.