David Leitch is the perfect director for a Power Rangers reboot.
Prepare to morph into nostalgia, because the ideal director for a potential Power Rangers reboot is someone with a connection to the franchise - David Leitch, the director of The Fall Guy, was a character on the show 24 years ago.
You might be thinking, "Wait, The Fall Guy director worked on Power Rangers? What?!" Let's get into the details.
David Leitch's Power Rangers Role Explained
Leitch's most notable work is typically behind the camera, but he also has some acting credits. One of them plays Brian in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue's episode "Up to the Challenge". This episode focused on Chad Lee (played by Michael Chaturantabut), the Blue Ranger, and introduced Brian as a rival. Brian, jealous of the Power Rangers, challenged Chad to a fight. The Blue Ranger initially refused, but eventually made Brian look foolish.
But Brian wasn't going to let a small defeat deter him. Angry at Chad, he formed an alliance with Vypra, one of the main villains, and struck a deal. Unfortunately, the deal backfired, and Vypra began using magic to control Brian. Brian had a few cool fights with Chad before breaking free from the spell and realizing he was in the wrong. "Up to the Challenge" made use of Leitch's stunt performer abilities to create incredible unmorphed fight scenes between him and Chaturantabut.
Why David Leitch Would Be Ideal for a Power Rangers Movie
There are several reasons why Leitch is an excellent choice to direct a Power Rangers Reboot.
First and foremost, he has a history with the franchise and is intimately familiar with the source material. Second, he has directed several high-budget action films, demonstrating his ability to handle the type of thrilling action sequences that Power Rangers is known for.
Leitch has worked as a stunt performer, stunt supervisor, and second unit director, so he is well-equipped to bring the Power Rangers' signature action to the big screen. Even if future Power Rangers projects depart from the Super Sentai shows, hand-to-hand combat will remain an important part of the franchise.
However, Leitch is more than just an action guru. He's also demonstrated his ability to tackle the more fantastical aspects of Power Rangers through his work on films such as Hobbs & Shaw and Deadpool 2. That means he could deliver the epic battles and outlandish characters that Power Rangers fans enjoy.
What David Leitch Said About Directing a Power Rangers Movie
In an interview with The Fall Guy, Leitch discussed his Lightspeed Rescue episode and whether he'd be interested in a Power Rangers film. He described his Lightspeed Rescue character as "a troubled teen who got possessed" and recalled his "fun fight" with Mike Chaturantabut. When asked about directing a Power Rangers project, he replied, "I'll never say never." Leitch continued, "It could be a really fun world, and it'd be fun to update that."
So, while there are no official plans for a Power Rangers film, Leitch would be an excellent choice if the franchise ever returns to the big screen. With his action experience, knowledge of Power Rangers, and willingness to take on the project, Leitch has the potential to bring a new perspective to the Power Rangers universe while still honoring what makes the franchise unique.
