But as opposed to the recent efforts, which focused primarily on the big-screen, the new initiative will see Entwistle overseeing, and directing, both film and television adaptations.
The move comes as eOne, the production banner acquired by Hasbro in late 2019, becomes more active in the development and the production of adaptations of Hasbro-based brands. A Power Rangers feature was previously in development by Entwistle at Paramount but now the reins have been taken by eOne while Entwistle is seeing his involvement deepen and branch out.
Entwistle will act as a conductor of a connected story universe that will bridge across multiple platforms.
“Jonathan has an incredible creative vision for this iconic and hugely successful franchise, and is hands down the right architect to join us as we reimagine the television and film worlds of this property,” said eOne’s film president Nick Meyer and global television president Michael Lombardo in a joint statement.
The working across platforms is to be a norm going forward as is working with name talent.
“Across our slate, we are looking forward to working with the most talented storytellers as we take on Hasbro’s rich fan-favourite brands and build entertainment universes around them,” the duo stated.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity to deliver new Power Rangers to both new and existing generations of awaiting and adoring fans. We’ll bring the spirit of analog into the future, harnessing the action and storytelling that made this brand a success,” said Entwistle.
Power Rangers was a ’90s TV series and global marketing franchise, initially called The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, that used footage from a Japanese children’s show. The premise involved a group of kids who become superheroes, each with his or her own color-coordinated outfit and matching helmet. The show first aired on Fox Kids, then on the Disney-owned channel in the 2000s. A movie also hit theaters in 1995.
In 2017, Lionsgate produced and released a feature that rebooted the title, making it less kid-friendly and giving it a more brooding YA edge. The pic failed at the box office, grossing only $142 million worldwide on a budget of around $100 million, and plans for a series of films were scrapped.
Entwistle created F—ing World and co-created the recent series I’m Not Okay With This. Both series were centered on teens coming to grips with growing up and were praised for their writing, with the former winning a Peabody and a British Academy Television Award. He is repped by CAA and Grandview.
