There have been several behind-the-scenes photos going viral for director Dean Israelite’s latest, Power Rangers, and while I won’t share them here, I do say that I am keen on where they might be going, and specifically with regard to actress Elizabeth Banks in the role of intergalatic villain, Rita Repulsa. Here it definitely looks like she’ll be a bit more hands on with our color-coded young adult heroes as seen in the latest photo from the official Facebook page, compared to that of the initial 1993 series inspired by its Japan roots.
Things aren’t looking so great for Trini in this photo. Why is Rita after her?
Rita tries to make Trini feel like she’s the weakest link of the Power Rangers, and she feels it’s easiest to go for her. Rita’s the type to play a lot of mind games, and Trini’s [thinking], “Can I really overpower Rita Repulsa or can I not?”
Rita’s attack even cracks the wall behind Trini. What was it like filming the fight?
When we did our blocking, our run through, Elizabeth and I really wanted & to make it fun, to make this scene as real as possible. Actually, I got to run through the wall a couple of times. I got thrown up against it and I got to break it myself. My stunt double of course was there, talking me through it, but I was really, really excited. It was a bit intimidating for me because, you know, it’s Elizabeth! I look up to her a lot as an actress, so getting to work one on one with her is really cool. I learned a lot, and there were moments when I had to hit her, and I was like, “Oh my God, I hope I don’t actually hit her!” She really let me be hands on in a lot of the fighting, so it was cool.
There are definitely things that are characteristic of the new Rita and her constant drive to sabotage the forces of good. It’s pretty consistent with her vision from the 90’s series apart from the whole new green look that this production has going for her role which may stand well with fans…or not, but we will see.
Read more at EW ahead of the film’s upcoming promotional run later this month at Comic Con International: San Diego, and stay tuned for more goods, including a hopeful teaser, because we definitely need one!