Prepare for a morphinomenal revelation as we unveil the dark side of the Power Rangers franchise. From on-set controversies to tragic real-life events, this list exposes the disturbing truths behind the colorful heroes. Discover the shocking stories that will make you see your childhood favorites in a whole new light.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at the bleak and harsh realities of this multicolored
00:09superhero franchise.
00:17Cassie in Lost Galaxy.
00:19The ending for The Power of Pink was a heartbreaking experience, where Kendrix sacrificed herself
00:25to save Cassie and all of Terra Venture.
00:29However, originally, Cassie's story with the Galaxy Rangers wasn't meant to end there.
00:38It's been reported that she was to take Kendrix's place as the Pink Galaxy Ranger.
00:42Her actor, Patricia Jolie, even filmed several scenes.
00:47However, Lee was unsatisfied with having a guest star billing instead of a main cast
00:55So, she walked off set, and Melody Perkins as Korone became the Pink Galaxy Ranger in her place.
01:05While this change was well-received by fans, it's amazing how often a refusal to compromise
01:10can shake everything up for the series.
01:15Production troubles.
01:17With everything we see on screen, one would think that working for Power Rangers is a
01:21dream come true.
01:22In reality, production is a nightmare behind the scenes.
01:30For one, the show has been handed off to different companies too many times, which causes major
01:35inconsistencies with the series' direction, tone, and output.
01:39The working conditions were also hazardous for the stars, as prop malfunctions have put
01:44their lives at risk more than once.
01:52Worst of all, the filming schedule was so strict that the Rangers were told to film
01:57during the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
02:00With so much happening against it, it's a miracle the show happened at all.
02:07Austin St. John's downfall.
02:09Austin St. John has been praised for his role as Jason, the OG Mighty Morphin' Red Ranger.
02:15Unfortunately, unlike his character, St. John hasn't been acting very heroic.
02:22Many already know about his infamous feud with Jason David Frank, but this was just
02:28the tip of the iceberg.
02:32In 2022, he was charged with attempting to embezzle COVID relief funds, and was given
02:38a plea deal.
02:39In early 2024, he announced a controversial idea for a clothesline that sparked a major
02:45backlash with his fans, and even fellow Ranger alumni Amy Jo Johnson.
02:53St. John can't seem to stay out of trouble, making it hard to separate him from his iconic
03:04character, the infamous background actor.
03:07If you thought the on-screen talent had their problematic moments, just hold on to your
03:11hat.
03:12Skyler DeLeon was a child actor who appeared in Power Rangers commercials in the background.
03:17Many years later, they were back in the spotlight, but for a horrifying reason.
03:21It turns out that they murdered a couple on their yacht.
03:24For their crimes, they were sentenced to death, and it was unfortunately discovered that they
03:28were connected to Power Rangers.
03:35It was originally believed that they were a different child who played a supporting role
03:39in an episode.
03:40This was proven false, but the association still leaves an ugly mark on the franchise's
03:45reputation.
03:46Matthew Sterling
03:47Being a TV icon sounds fabulous until you meet a troubled fan who takes things way too
03:52far.
03:53In 2017, one Matthew Sterling attended Phoenix Comic-Con, armed with actual real-life weaponry
03:59and malicious intentions.
04:01He had set his sights on Power Ranger legend Jason David Frank to settle a supposed grudge.
04:07Sterling told detectives he was there to kill Frank and even had a reminder on his phone.
04:12He went so far as to call himself the Punisher.
04:15Thankfully, he was arrested before he got anywhere near JDF and was committed to the
04:19Arizona State Hospital for over 20 years.
04:22Every fandom has at least one bad apple, but it's terrifying to know that not even the
04:26Power Rangers are safe from the more extreme ones.
04:36The Disturbing Case of Pua Magasiva
04:38New Zealand actor Pua Magasiva brought Shane, the Red Ninja Storm Ranger, to life with his
04:43serious yet fun charisma.
04:45So, what exactly does this thing do?
04:48Sadly, his life post-Power Rangers wasn't as glamorous.
04:52In 2019, he was convicted of domestic violence against his wife, Elizabeth Sadler.
04:57Not too long after, it was reported that Magasiva took his own life.
05:01Following his passing, a diary entry, supposedly written by Magasiva, details his failing battle
05:07against self-loathing, alcohol use disorder, and inability to find his self-worth.
05:15Suffice it to say, it makes revisiting the moments in Ninja Storm where Shane deals with
05:20his insecurities incredibly uncomfortable, given how on-the-nose it turned out to be.
05:29Cole Goes Rogue
05:31Many will recognize Ricardo Medina Jr. for his talents portraying both Cole Evans, the
05:36Red Wild Force Ranger, and Dekker, the human Nighlok foe from Samurai and Super Samurai.
05:46Two very different characters played flawlessly.
05:49Unfortunately, in 2015, he would be recognized for a more morbid reason.
05:54He was arrested and charged with murdering his roommate with a sword.
05:58He claimed it was in self-defense, but pled guilty in the end and was sentenced to six
06:02years in jail.
06:03Medina's attorney saying six years in prison on the lesser charge is a far cry from what
06:08he would have faced if he had endured a lengthy murder trial and possibly been convicted.
06:12He only served three years in jail before being released, and is said to be doing well
06:17for himself.
06:18Knowing what we know now, though, makes re-watching Wild Force and the Samurai seasons a little
06:23more uncomfortable.
06:29David Yost Faces Harassment
06:34Out of woe!
06:34Of the original five actors, David Yost, Billy the Blue Ranger, lasted the longest before
06:40finally leaving near the end of Zeo.
06:42It was reported that it was due to pay disputes, but David's side of the story is much more
06:47heartbreaking.
06:48It worked!
06:48Billy, you did it!
06:50But I didn't, Alpha.
06:51I didn't do anything.
06:52He faced constant harassment and belittlement for his sexuality behind the scenes from the
06:58crew and a few cast members.
06:59He walked off set and fought an ongoing battle with his mental health before finally learning
07:04to accept himself.
07:06Thankfully, his fans offered the love and support he needed.
07:09He returned to the series for its 30th anniversary.
07:12You're a good kid.
07:14We're all looking out for you.
07:23With how much fanfare the series has received, you'd think the stars would be treated well
07:28and given the paychecks they deserve.
07:30Unfortunately, the show was non-union despite its success, and the actors were paid little
07:35for their hard work.
07:36Zordon's actor only got less than $200 for an entire day of filming his head, and the
07:41actor who originally auditioned for Trini was reportedly replaced due to pay disputes.
07:46Combine this with the hazardous working conditions, it's no mystery why Austin St. John,
07:51Walter Jones, and Tui Trang finally walked away during Season 2's production.
07:56We can't help but wonder if unionizing the show could have helped prevent so much
07:59heartache.
08:20THE POWER RANGERS CURSE
08:22Even with the show's critical claim, Power Rangers has a reputation for being cursed.
08:27Along with the behind-the-scenes drama and controversies, several actors had passed away
08:32due to unnatural causes.
08:33Tui Trang, who played Trini in Mighty Morphin, was killed in a car accident in 2001.
08:44Peter Rutter, aka Udonna from Mystery Force, was taken from us by a brain tumor.
08:49Worst of all, Jason David Frank, legendary Tommy Oliver, took his own life following
08:55his struggle with mental health.
08:56Sadly, the list only gets more tragic from here.
08:59We're honestly shocked that the show survived for 30 years given all the heartache surrounding
09:04it.
09:08What do you think of Power Rangers knowing what we know now?
09:11Share your thoughts in the comments.
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