New "Power Rangers" Film NOT Really A Reboot

Last week we learned that "X-Men: First Class" and "Thor" writers Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz will write the screenplay for the upcoming film reboot of the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Franchise at Lionsgate and Saban Brands

The new film titled Power Rangers will "re-envision" the story of a group of high school kids who are infused with super powers that must work together to save the world.

"Power Rangers" began life over two decades ago and has been in continuous production ever since. Toys, apparel, costumes, video games, DVD's, comic books and other merchandise have all been spawned from the property, as have two feature films back in the mid-1990s.

The property also has a devoted worldwide fan base as well as a detailed mythology that screams cinematic reboot.

 "Star Trek" and "Transformers" scribe Roberto Orci will serve as executive producer. The trio will develop the movie’s story, with Miller and Stentz writing the script.

 Orci is now talking about the project, which is still in its very early stages, and surprisingly reveals that it's NOT a reboot but rather a refresh (think "Doctor Who") and it will exist in continuity with the world of the TV series but serves as a starting point for newcomers as well.

Orci tells IGN:

"One of the first things we did was learn and read… [Saban] has 600 pages of research that they have on their stuff. We read through the synopsis of everything they did and we are actually taking into account quite a bit of the canon in a real way. We're not just a leave it behind reboot. [Haim Saban] cares very much about that. This is something that he created. I had to go to his house, personally, to tell him, 'Listen, I'm your man. Miller and Stenz, these are your guys. I promise you I won't ruin your franchise.' And he said, 'It's very important to me, because kids around the world know what the Power Rangers are. So you can't just come in here and walk all over it. It better be consistent with what I've been doing.' And I said, 'Yes sir!'...Its got a continuity within the world. I can't tell you what, but it does have a continuity.”

Asked if we might see cameos from some original cast members, Orci said: "Of course. That's something we want to rely on the Saban group to tell us. They have a lot of internal knowledge of their franchise and we're just learning now. We've seen it only as fans, but they actually know it inside and out, so I'd love to know what fans want to see."