Power Rangers Director Says Costumes Will Have Cutting-edge Tech

While he didn't provide any details, Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) did reveal that Weta Workshop, the New Zealand-based special effects company behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, created the new and improved superhero costumes Zack, Trini, Jason, Kimberly, and Billy will be morphing into in the upcoming 2017 film.

"We've made the suits practically with Weta Workshop, with new cutting-edge tech," Israelite told Empire.

Getting the suits just right was one thing, but the bigger challenge was figuring out how to update a two-decade-old franchise in this grittier superhero landscape. "I grew up on it and I have all the same questions other people have," Israelite said. "How are we going to update this? How will it exist in the contemporary superhero cinema canon?" Israelite's solution was to "add naturalism and a grounded nature," while also making it "character-driven."

It also doesn't hurt that the award-winning actor Bryan Cranston joined the cast, playing the Power Rangers' disembodied mentor, Zordon. How in the world did they land him? "Like everybody, [Cranston] was sceptical," Israelite shared, "but he saw a bunch of footage and got excited for the potential. I think it'll be a thrill for fans to see what we're doing with Zordon."

Saban's Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.

Saban's Power Rangers stars Dacre Montgomery, Becky G, Ludi Lin, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Elizabeth Banks, and Bryan Cranston. The film is directed by Dean Israelite and written by Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz.

Power Rangers is scheduled for release on January 13, 2017.