‘Power Rangers’ Movie Updates: Bryan Cranston Teases Zordon’s Backstory, Reveals Reboot’s Tone Completely Different from Original Television Series

‘Power Rangers’ actor Bryan Cranston teased Zordon’s backstory during a recent interview. He also revealed that the rebooted film’s tone will be completely different from the original television series of the same name.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Cranston is set to play the Power Rangers’ leader and mentor Zordon in Dean Israelite’s upcoming live-action film adaptation of the popular ‘90s television show of the same name.

Zordon of Eltar is a male galactic being associated with the creation of the Power Rangers who fights against evil forces led by the villainous Rita Repulsa. The character was first introduced on the pilot episode of ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ series and communicates with the teenage superheroes as a disembodied head projected through a hologram. He was voiced by David Fielding in Season 1 and then by Bob Manahan in subsequent seasons.

Cranston’s involvement in the new film was announced early in June. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Cranston revealed that his portrayal of Zordon will involve a lot of CGI work and motion capture.

He also spoke of Zordon’s backstory saying, “The tenant of that storyline is that this is a real person who is trapped in this etherworld and it becomes this in-the-wall so to speak of [the command center… He still has a heart and mind, but an agenda that he’s got to get these five Power Rangers to defend the earth or else everyone they know will be killed.”

During another interview with Nuke the Fridge’s Luis Lecca, Cranston explained how he decided to return to the ‘Power Rangers’ franchise. He did voice work on Twinman and Snizard for two episodes of ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ back in 1993.

He said, “Yeah… I did voices. Dubbing voices for POWER RANGERS the series 35 years ago. But I can tell you… I would NOT have accepted the role if it was not for the script being so good. They have completely changed the tone. It is not the television series at all. It’s a fully realized updated reimagined approach to telling this SUPERHERO story. I haven’t done a superhero story and I was intrigued. I think this sounds interesting. Let’s try it!”

The 60-year old actor, screenwriter and filmmaker is best known for portraying Walter White on the AMC series ‘Breaking Bad’. He is also popular for his roles on Fox’s ‘Malcolm in the Middle’, CBS’ ‘King of Queens’, and NBC’s ‘Seinfeld’. He was nominated for an Oscar for his work on the biographical drama film ‘Trumbo’. He is also a Golden Globe awardee as well as an Emmy awardee.

‘Power Rangers’ is an upcoming action-adventure and fantasy film scheduled to be released on March 24, 2017. It is produced by Lionsgate, Saban Brands and Saban Entertainment.