The original Tommy Oliver almost appeared in the new Power Rangers movie — sort of.
Videos by ComicBook.com
For those of you that haven’t seen the film yet, Jason David Frank and Amy Jo Johnson are the only original members of the ’90s television series to make an appearance in the new Power Rangers movie. Their brief cameo comes at the end of the movie right after the Megazord — controlled by Jason, Kimberly, Billy, Trini, and Zack — has vanquished Goldar. Frank and Johnson are among the Angel Grove townsfolk who gather on the main street to look up in awe at their 100-foot savior. Frank is the first to reach into his pocket, retrieve his phone, and begin recording the astonishing sight. Johnson and the rest of the citizens take out their phones and do the same.
However, it was actually the second cameo that Frank and Johnson filmed. The original one was scrapped because it just didn’t work as well as director Dean Israelite had hoped. That’s a real shame because Frank grew back Tommy Oliver’s signature long hair — often put in a ponytail — for that cameo. After the shoot, he chopped it off.
Back in March, Frank provide details on the cut cameo. “The first cameo we did was cut. Me and Amy were filming in the Krispy Kreme,” the 43-year-old actor told The Hollywood Reporter. “I grew a ponytail out for that. I was thinking, ‘If I grow the ponytail out, I’ll shock the fans when they see me.’ We shot a scene there with Rita [Elizabeth Banks], and we were dressed in green and pink.”
Fortunately for us, Frank has shared a behind-the-scenes snap of the original cameo!
MORE: Power Rangers Sequel Hopes Continue To Dim / Power Rangers Fans Are Trying To Save Sequel / Power Rangers Sequel Might Be In Jeopardy
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!
