Disney+ has dropped plans for a live-action Power Rangers series, ending the project at the development stage.
According to Deadline, the series had been in development for about 18 months, with Percy Jackson and the Olympians executive producers and showrunners Jonathan E Steinberg and Dan Shotz attached as writers and executive producers. Disney’s sibling studio 20th Television was set to produce the project.
Sources said the decision was driven more by business and budget concerns than creative issues. A high-end live-action superhero series such as Power Rangers requires a major investment. The financial case becomes less attractive when the streaming platform or producing studio does not own the underlying intellectual property.
Hasbro owns the Power Rangers brand and has been seeking a new live-action series adaptation. Netflix also previously attempted to develop one several years ago.
Disney+ once focused largely on Disney-owned properties. The streamer has increasingly opened its slate to outside intellectual property. In recent months, it has made development deals for series based on Ella Enchanted and Casper.
Meanwhile, Steinberg and Shotz are completing the third season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, produced by 20th Television for Disney+. The new season is scheduled to premiere on 20 November. The pair are also developing other projects for the studio under their overall deal.
