One of the many highlights from the Power Rangers trailer released today was Rita Repulsa's intense entrance. Hovering over Trini's bed, she proclaimed how she's "killed Rangers before" and proceeded to slam the Yellow Ranger into her bedroom wall. Clearly this version of Rita is a powerhouse, but just like the original iteration from Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, she won't be working alone. It was announced today that Goldar, one of her minions from the TV series, will appear in the movie as well.
Director Dean Israelite confirmed today at New York City Comic-Con (via Comicbook.com) that Goldar will appear in Power Rangers, retaining his role as Rita Repulsa's right hand...monster, and we'll get a glimpse of him in a future preview. It wasn't announced who will play/voice Goldar, although considering how his movie has announced past major castings, we'll presumably find out who his actor is when an image is posted of said actor's face next to the classic Rangers lightning bolt symbol.
Goldar is one of the oldest villains in the Power Rangers franchise, debuting alongside Rita Repulsa in Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers' pilot episode, "Day of the Dumpster." As you can see in the image above, he's one of the more bizarre-looking monsters from the mythos, resembling a demonic ape with wings and golden armor. Despite his humorous voice and bumbling nature, Goldar was one of Rita's more competent officers in the TV series. Unfortunately for him, he was often the targets of insults from both her and his later master, Lord Zedd. Even after Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers ended, Goldar appeared occasionally in other Power Rangers TV shows until he was presumably disintegrated at the end of Power Rangers in Space.
Considering how radically different Rita Repulsa looks in the Power Rangers reboot, don't be surprised if Goldar also gets a major makeover. There may be subtle nods to his original appearance, whether he still resembles an ape or is covered in gold armor, but in 2016, Dean Israelite and the rest of the creative team may have decided that he needed to rock a new look. Plus, with modern movie making technology, he may end up being entirely created out of CGI rather than a guy in a costume.
Like its TV predecessor over two decades ago, Power Rangers will follow five teenagers who are given extraordinary weapons and abilities to properly defend Earth from alien invaders. The main cast consists of Dacre Montgomery as Jason, the Red Ranger; Naomi Scott as Kimberly, the Pink Ranger; Ludi Lin as Zack, the Black Ranger; Becky G as Trini, the Yellow Ranger; RJ Cyler as Billy, the Blue Ranger; Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa, Bryan Cranston as Zordon; and Bill Hader as Alpha 5.
Power Rangers arrives in theaters on March 24, 2017.
