Most fans of Power Rangers probably didn’t expect to get much out of the new film besides reliving their childhood and enjoying some campy action. Reboots really aren’t expected to be groundbreaking. Apparently, though, that’s exactly what Power Rangers will be. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film from Lionsgate will be the first big-budget superhero movie to feature an LGBT protagonist.
The protagonist in question is Trini, the Yellow Ranger played by Becky G. There’s a scene where it becomes apparent she’s having ‘girlfriend problems’; apparently, it’s a small moment but one director Dean Israelite calls “pivotal” for the entire film.
“For Trini, really she’s questioning a lot about who she is,” Israelite tells The Hollywood Reporter. “She hasn’t fully figured it out yet. I think what’s great about that scene and what that scene propels for the rest of the movie is, ‘That’s OK.’ The movie is saying, ‘That’s OK,’ and all of the kids have to own who they are and find their tribe.”
Ironically, David Yost, the actor who played the Blue Ranger in the original TV show, left the series after facing harassment over his sexual orientation. He’s now praising the new film for its inclusiveness.
“They really stepped up to the plate,” says Yost. “I think so many people in the LGBTQI community are going to be excited to see that representation.”
Such representation is more apparent in the TV world. The CW’s Supergirl, from openly gay producer Greg Berlanti, features a prominent lesbian storyline this season. His other shows like Legends of Tomorrow and Arrow also feature LGBT characters.
This move for the new film is even more progressive considering the original Yellow Ranger, played by Thuy Trang, was portrayed as straight.
The news comes very soon after the revelation that the live-action Beauty and the Beast character LeFou, played by Josh Gad, is Disney’s first gay character.
Power Rangers hits theaters on March 24, 2017.
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