Exclusive: Power Rangers Concept Art By Kelton Cram

Considering the fact that Beauty and the Beast only opened in theaters last week, it would have been a tall task for any film to knock Disney’s latest live-action remake off its box office throne. With that being the case, Lionsgate should be pleased with the mighty $41.6 million Power Rangers is estimated to gross in its opening weekend — beating the $36 million it was forecast to do earlier this week.

Kelton Cram — a talented conceptual artist who recently worked on Max Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Jeff Wadlow’s Deadpool pitch — was brought on board Power Rangers. He was tasked with coming up with costume designs for all five Power Rangers, including how the suits would morph onto their bodies, as well designs for the Zords.

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Cram was nice enough to partake in an interview and share his artwork with us. You can view his Power Rangers concept art by clicking on “Start Slideshow.”

In the original television series, the helmets had a dinosaur-like look to them. Was there a reason to move away from that?

Kelton Cram: When we started, each helmet had its own unique “dino/Zord” look to them. After many directions with the helmets, the final designs ended up retaining elements of each particular ‘dino/Zord’ they belong to. They also wanted the Rangers as a whole to feel united. Keeping uniform similarities in each of their helmets and suits would help them look like a team.

Were “Morphers” ever considered during the design process?

Kelton Cram: Yes, we started the designs by thinking about how the Morphers would attach to the Rangers’ bodies and how they would grow/morph into the suits. We tried a belt Morpher as one of the ideas, which eventually led to the final suit design.

When working on the Red Ranger’s Zord, did you have to take into account that it was going to be part of the Megazord?

Kelton Cram: I was on Zord design very early on, but only had a chance to work on the Red Zord. They didn’t have a Megazord design at this point, so we didn’t really start by thinking how they would construct/deconstruct into a whole. After they resolved the Megazord, I believe they altered things to fit together.

Since Dinobots were showcased in the last Transformers film, did you look at those designs to learn what to do and not to do with the Zords?

Kelton Cram: Haha, that’s a good question. The Dinobot concern was not brought up during the process, but it was always implied that we ought to make something new that hasn’t already been done — which is never easy because there are a lot films with similarities that release at similar times. Transformers: Age of Extinction had not actually come out when we first started working on this. But often times, we are told to specifically avoid a certain style that may look too similar to a pre-existing feature.

Is Zordon’s Red Ranger costume any different than Jason’s?

Kelton Cram: I was primarily responsible for the design of the Red Ranger, which set the tone for the other suits. I saw the film this week and didn’t see a major difference between Zordon and Jason’s suits. I also don’t believe I read that in the script.

What was the most challenging part of working on Power Rangers?

Kelton Cram: There were quite a few differing visions among the franchise’s “yes men.” So the artists tried many different directions until everyone agreed on a design that best worked with the story, which was also being worked out simultaneously. So changes were inevitable.

What projects do you have coming up?

Kelton Cram: The next few film projects I worked on that will be coming out this year are Ghost in The Shell, Wonder Woman and Justice League. Hopefully I can share some work from these as well in the near future.

MORE: There’s A 6-Film Power Rangers Franchise Plan / Here Is What Happens After Power Rangers Ends / Original Power Rangers Reunite

Saban‘s Power Rangers follows five ordinary teens 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 they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.

Saban’s Power Rangers stars Dacre Montgomery as Jason Lee Scott/the Red Ranger, RJ Cyler as Billy Cranston/the Blue Ranger, Becky G as Trini Kwan/the Yellow Ranger, Ludi Lin as Zack Taylor/the Black Ranger, Naomi Scott as Kimberly Hart/the Pink Ranger, Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa, Bill Hader as Alpha 5, and Bryan Cranston as Zordon.

The film is being directed by Project Almanac-helmer Dean Israelite and was written by Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz.

Power Rangers is now playing!