Walter Emanuel Jones shares his perspective in response to comments made by a Power Rangers writer who stated that casting Black and Asian actors as the Black and Yellow Rangers was a significant error.
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers head writer Tony Oliver recently made an appearance on the show Dark Side of the Power Rangers, featured in the latest episode of Hollywood Demons, where he remarked that casting Black and Asian actors in the roles of the Black and Yellow Rangers was indeed a “mistake” due to the perpetuation of cultural stereotypes. Despite his comments, Power Rangers star Walter Emanuel Jones has a different viewpoint.
“I’ve consistently believed in emphasizing the positive aspects,” Jones expressed in a heartfelt post on Instagram. “While I comprehend the desire to address potential cultural insensitivity, labeling it a ‘mistake’ overlooks the profound impact it had on numerous individuals worldwide who discovered inspiration and representation through television’s pioneering Black superhero — transforming into none other than the Black Power Ranger! This experience wasn’t a mistake; it represented a historic milestone. It was a privilege and an honor.“
In Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Jones portrayed Zack Taylor alongside Thuy Trang, who played Trini Kwan. In the documentary, Oliver reflected on the production process, stating that “none of us [were] were aware of the implications of stereotypes” at that time. It wasn’t until “my assistant pointed it out during a meeting” that they came to realize how the portrayal could be perceived. “It was genuinely a mistake,” he admitted.
Since its debut in 1993, the Power Rangers franchise has evolved, introducing new teams dedicated to safeguarding the Earth from all kinds of threats. Just last month, it was revealed that a brand-new live-action Power Rangers TV series is currently in development for Disney+ and 20th Century TV. Creative minds Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz are in discussions to write, produce, and take on the role of showrunners for this exciting new series. The duo is already known for serving as showrunners on Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which is also available for streaming on Disney+.
Hasbro is set to produce the upcoming Power Rangers series, which aims to “reimagine the franchise for an entirely new generation of fans, while also captivating those who are already familiar with and cherish the world of Power Rangers.“ Initially, the project was being developed for Netflix, with Jonathan Entwistle (The End of the F***ing World) overseeing a broader “cinematic universe” that would encompass both television shows and films. However, after two years of development, Hasbro opted to pursue a new creative direction, leading to Netflix stepping away from the project.
