A writer from the iconic 1990s series “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” has expressed regret over the casting choices made during the show’s production. Tony Oliver, who served as the head writer, recently shared his thoughts in a new episode of the docuseries “Hollywood Demons,” specifically the segment titled “Dark Side of the Power Rangers.”
Oliver pointed out that the casting of the Black Ranger as a Black character and the Yellow Ranger as an Asian character was a significant oversight. He recalled how his assistant highlighted this issue during a meeting, leading him to acknowledge it as a “mistake.”
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” premiered on Fox Kids in 1993 and quickly became a beloved show among children. The Black Ranger, Zack Taylor, played by Walter Emanuel Jones, was known for his confident demeanor, while the Yellow Ranger, Trini Kwan, portrayed by Thuy Trang, was characterized as the group’s moral compass. Interestingly, Trang was not the original choice for the role; she was cast after the pilot episode was filmed, as the initial actress, Audri DuBois, left the project.
Shuki Levi, a co-creator of the series, stated in a 2013 interview that the casting decisions were not made with any intentional stereotypes in mind. He explained that both he and executive producer Haim Saban were newcomers to the United States and did not fully grasp the cultural implications of their choices, having grown up in Israel where racial discussions were not as prevalent.
Amy Jo Johnson, who played the Pink Power Ranger, commented on the situation, noting that while it may have been unintentional, it was still surprising. She remarked that such casting decisions would likely not happen in today’s television landscape.
Barbara Goodson, who portrayed the villain Rita Repulsa, offered a different perspective. She noted that the characters changed with each season, and pointed out that later iterations of the Yellow Ranger were not always Asian. Goodson suggested that criticisms could arise no matter the choices made.
This reflection on casting decisions highlights ongoing conversations about representation in media. It serves as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful casting in creating diverse and inclusive stories.