Elizabeth Banks Set to Star as the Villain in ‘Power Rangers’ Movie
Like Ben Affleck, Elizabeth Banks is proving that just because you’re a successful director, doesn’t mean you can’t take on the occasional silly role in a superhero movie. Affleck went from winning an Oscar to Batman vs. Superman and now Banks is going from Pitch Perfect 2 to the live-action Power Rangers movie, where she’ll star as the villainous Rita Repulsa.
Banks joins a cast of newcomers that includes RJ Cyler, Becky G, Ludy Lin, Naomi Scott and Dacre Montgomery who I’m assured, despite their names, are actual people. For those unfamiliar with Power Rangers lore, Rita Repulsa [above] is an evil space witch looking to defeat Zordon of Eltar and reclaim Earth for Lord Zodd. Rita was played by both Machiko Soga and Carla Perez in the classic 90s TV series.
If you think this material might be above someone like Banks, who is as smart, funny and talented as they come, Power Rangers seems to have its tongue planted firmly in cheek (we think?) and the casting of Banks is the perfect addition for a hammy evil space witch.
Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) is directing for Lionsgate, who has been trying to get this project off the ground for years and years. As for Banks, she hasn’t put her directing career on hold — she’s still developing a Charlie’s Angels reboot for Sony.
Power Rangers is set to open in theaters on March 24, 2017.