Beep, beep, beep-beep, beep beep. That’s Netflix signaling the communicators of fans of the original incarnation of the long-running children’s action series. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always is the new 30th-anniversary reunion love letter to the OG audience that made it a phenomenon in the 90s. Netflix has just released a trailer that will hit your nostalgia bone hard as it reunites former cast members of season one — Walter Jones, David Yost, Barbara Goodson, who voiced Rita Repulsa, Richard Steven Horvitz, who voiced Alpha 5, as well season two cast members — Steven Cardenas, Catherine Sutherland, Johnny Yong Bosch, and Karen Ashley.
The synopsis from Netflix reads,
The Rangers come face-to-face with a familiar threat from the past. In the midst of a global crisis, they are called on once again to be the heroes the world needs.
As exciting as it is to see returning cast members, there are some notable absences. The original Red Ranger, Jason, played by Austin St. John, will not make an appearance despite reprising the role in an episode of the recent incarnation, Power Rangers Beast Morphers. This is likely due to his recent legal troubles. Amy Jo Johnson, the original Pink Ranger, Kimberly, had apparently lost the opportunity citing that she “didn’t say no,” just “didn’t say yes to what was offered.” And most notably, and tragically, the original Green Ranger, Tommy’s absence is felt as Jason David Frank had tragically passed late last year.
The special addresses another tragic passing. The original Yellow Ranger, Trini, initially played by the late Thuy Trang, is shown to have sacrificed herself for her friends when Rita Repulsa returns in robot form and tries to kill Billy. Trini’s daughter, Minh, played by Charlie Kersh, is seeing to it that her mother gets avenged as she approaches the former members.
The special is directed by Charlie Haskell, who is a veteran director of Power Ranger episodes. And you can see how seamlessly he blends the look of the original show with an updated quality.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always is set to hit Netflix on April 19.