EXCLUSIVE: Power Rangers Director Explains Why He Made Rita The Green Ranger

The Power Rangers reboot brought with it some changes to the overall mythology, including its take on the Green Ranger. As the director points out though, the seeds were already there.

ComicBook.com had the chance to talk with director Dean Israelite about the Rita Repulsa, and specifically whether making Rita the Green Ranger was always in the plans.

“When I first came up, that is what we started to talk about is that she was going to be the Green Ranger, ” said Israelite. “We were trying to figure out a mythology for her, and it felt like there was real evidence in the cannon because she ultimately ends up giving Tommy the coin. That there was evidence in a way that she could be the green ranger.”

In the original series, Rita gets ahold of the sixth Power Coin while Zordon has the other five. She ultimately gives that coin to Tommy, but what says she never held it for herself first?

“So it fits really organically into the mythology that is already there, and when we came up with that idea, it was very exciting, because we felt like we had kind of opened up this whole new prologue in a way.”

Tommy was teased at the end of the film, so it seems l once again have an avatar working on her behalf in the sequel.

UP NEXT: Becky G Reveals The Classic Throwback She Wants In The Sequel

Power Rangers currently has a 72.95 on ComicBook.com’s composite rankings, and you can find the Blu-ray and DVD description below, which hits stores tomorrow.

The action-packed, coming of age feature film Saban‘s Power Rangers will morph onto Digital HD June 13 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand June 27 from Lionsgate. As part of the 24-year-old global phenomenon and based on the five Rangers from the original TV series, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,”, the reimagined movie features a modern generation of Rangers including Dacre Montgomery (TV’s “Stranger Things”) as Jason the Red Ranger, Naomi Scott (The 33) as Kimberly the Pink Ranger, RJ Cyler (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) as Billy the Blue Ranger, Ludi Lin (Monster Hunt) as Zack the Black Ranger, and Becky G. (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising) as Trini the Yellow Ranger, as they attempt to stop the evil and unpredictable Rita Repulsa (played by Elizabeth Banks, The Hunger Games Franchise) from destroying their city…and ultimately the world. Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) as Zordon, and Bill Hader (Finding Dory) as Alpha 5 train the Rangers to morph and master their powers as a united team.

The Saban‘s Power Rangers DVD will include exclusive audio commentary with director Dean Israelite and writer John Gatins, and deleted/alternate/extended scenes and outtakes. Saban’s Power Rangers will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively.

MORE POWER RANGERS: EXCLUSIVE: Director Wants Lord Zedd For The Sequel / EXCLUSIVE: Becky G Reveals Heartfelt Reason She Loves The Blue Ranger / 5 Things We Want To See In A Power Rangers Sequel / Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Blue Ranger’s Best Moments