[UPDATE] Joseph Kahn's POWER/RANGERS One-Shot Is A Deboot Of R-Rated War-Torn Epicness

Look anywhere on YouTube and you'll find any number of independently conceived concepts attributed to the Ameritoku crossover series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. There are a few in the works on smaller scales as well as a feature film from Lionsgate and Saban, and while many of these could likely hit all the similar tones of a kid-friendly show, there's at least one vision that's taken a life of its own which completely undoes it all.

That said, Detention helmer Joseph Kahn and Dirty Laundry one-shot producer, Bootleg Universe's own Adi Shankar have a hell of a way of interpreting Ameritoku, and their latest contribution to the fandom with their own one-shot, Power/Rangers, is a distinct example of this. Written by Kahn, Dutch Southern and lead actor James Van Der Beek, Kahn's is a version which removes the kid-friendly appeal and replaces it with all the trimmings of a big-scale epic, now host to an alternative look into a dark, tragic future where the Machine Empire has taken over, our heroes have fallen and virtually nothing is what it seems, showcasing a newer perspective on the shortfalls of being young and granted supernatural abilities to take on larger-than-life enemies, seen or otherwise. Essentially, its Ender's Game by way of Tokusatsu with a shit-ton of NSFW storytelling and action with a level of violence and imagery, and character delivery almost perfectly suited for an R-rated concept. It's what you can expect from the guy who also helped put together Dredd and the newly-released Gangs Of Wasseypur, and so by all means, I have no complaints.

Director's Statement:

Deboot of the Power Rangers. My take on the FAN FILM. Not a pilot, not a series, not for profit, strictly for exhibition. This is a bootleg experiment not affiliated or endorsed by Saban Entertainment or Lionsgate nor is it selling any product. I claim no rights to any of the characters (don't send me any money, not kickstarted, this film is free). This is the NSFW version. An alternate safe version is on youtube.

You can watch the safe version by clicking HERE, and while this may not be a pitch video for a bigger project, it damn well proves just how amazing a pairing Kahn and Shankar are, and just how worth it they are as artists. I'm keen to this.

Power/Rangers also stars Katie Sackhoff, Gichi Gamba, Russ Bain and Will Yun Lee with fight choreography by Don Thai Theerathada and the team over at 87Eleven. Watch below and click here to read more about it at Drew McWeeny's exclusive article at HitFix.

Update (2:00pm EST): Yes, the video does exist. Although it appears that our dear director may have been told to impede its availability from the public for the time being by someone higher-up. Upsetting, I know. But the SFW version is still viewable. Watch it now!


You may also read another version of this article at HJU.

Natalie Martinez To Lead NBC's WARRIOR

Perhaps we should thank the uptick in the trend of martial arts action on television so noted by various folks responsible for the recent popularity of shows like the CW series, Arrow, among a few others on local and cable networks which happen to be presenting some of the best action on television in recent history. Thankfully it's a trend that may not go away anytime soon with a number of shows being renewed or newly added this year, including NBC's latest forthcoming contribution to the martial arts action genre, Warrior, which is already underway with casting since its announcement last month.

On Friday night, word from Deadline revealed that Death Race (2008) and End Of Watch (2012), actress Natalie Martinez s added as the leading lady for the new series pilot following actor Will Yun Lee's attachment as the villain on Monday. Phillip Noyce is directing from a script by executive producer David DiGilio and scribes Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald which will focus on Martinez's role in a the new series being described as follows:

In a grounded, contemporary multicultural and sometimes magical milieu, a damaged heroine works undercover with physical and spiritual guidance from a mysterious martial arts master to bring down an international crime lord.

I suspect plenty of more names will be added to the line-up in helping to shape Warrior as the next level of martial arts television drama and storytelling. There is a major momentum here and I hope others take advantage of this exciting opportunity in action-packed entertainment. Let's keep the trend going!

Will Yun Lee To Star Opposite Title Heroine In NBC's WARRIOR TV Series

Further reports are needed in lieu of the exciting news pertaining to NBC's most recent announcement for the new series, Warrior. Presumably, it's the kind of show that could definitely hook-in potential fans of action, fantasy and drama considering the plot at hand and there is plenty of talent to look into for principal action actors and actress, including the show's central female lead, and I have my own ideas on who I would love to see cast.

As such, the series has apparently announced its first name in the form of actor Will Yun Lee, who has turned in a number of memorable action performances, including the short-lived TV series, Witchblade, as well as the Marvel adaptation of Elektra, and as recently as 2013's The Wolverine. According to Deadline (via CBR), Lee will play the villainous role of Susano, the considerably powerful and wealthy head of a Japanese crime syndicate with a deadly proficient skillset in martial arts - the latter serving as the central theme of the show's vision for the action as revealed in the premise reported back in January:

In a grounded, contemporary multicultural and sometimes magical milieu, a damaged heroine works undercover with physical and spiritual guidance from a mysterious martial arts master to bring down an international crime lord.

Crossbones series co-executive producer David DiGilio will write and executive produce the series with Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. Like I said before, I have some ideas in mind as to who should star in this, but I would love to learn who you guys would want to see cast in this series. Comment below or on our Facebook page!