Despite all of the changes that it makes to its underlying mythology, Power Rangers is a reboot steeped in love and fan service. It's a film packed to the brim with Easter eggs and references (some obvious and some obscure) but none of those fantastic moments can compare to the cameos of original Green Ranger Jason David Frank and original Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson at the end of the film. However, it now turns out that these classic Rangers shot ANOTHER cameo scene that wound up on the cutting room floor, and it's arguably even cooler than the one that ended up in the final film. Check it out.
Jason David Frank posted the deleted scene of him and Amy Jo Johnson from Power Rangers, and we cannot stop wondering why it was cut in favor of the other cameo. Like their official appearance in the movie, the two actors don't say a word; they merely sit across Trini (Becky G) and the new Kimberly (Naomi Scott) as the newcomers use their superpowers to battle over the last bite of a donut (because product placement) at Krispy Kreme. While it's not terribly different from the cameo that audiences witnessed when the film first hit theaters, it's distinct because Jason David Frank is rocking the classic long hair look that became his trademark on the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series.
Honestly, I would easily argue that this is the superior cameo between the two that director Dean Israelite put together for Power Rangers. While the one used in the theatrical cut of the movie has a far more triumphant feel to it (after all, it comes right after the Rangers defeat Rita), this one seems like the better piece of fan service for longtime Power Rangers nuts. That's because it implies the idea that we are seeing the old Tommy and Kimberly hanging out in the restaurant. These aren't just two average Angel Grove citizens; these ARE the original Power Rangers -- the long hair on Tommy is a dead giveaway.
While we certainly think this is the superior cameo, it's still not hard to figure out why the other version won out when we think about it. The Power Rangers finale teases the eventual arrival of a brand new Tommy Oliver, so a deleted scene featuring two old Rangers naturally creates an apparent conflict of logic. By opting for a slightly subtler cameo (in which Jason David Frank and Amy Jo Johnson are simply two people saved by the Rangers), the film can continue embracing its new continuity and go all in on Tommy Oliver 2.0 if we ever actually receive a proper sequel.
Power Rangers is now available on Digital HD, and it will make its debut on 4K, Blu-Ray, and DVD later this month on June 27. Beyond that, there are still plenty of highly anticipated blockbusters set to hit theaters this year, so make sure to check out our movie premiere guide for more information on all of them!
