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New Power Rangers Film Casts R.J. Cyler as Blue Ranger

The official Instagram account of the new Power Rangers film announced on Tuesday that the project has cast R.J. Cyler in the role of the Blue Ranger. Cyler played a Earl in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

The project previously cast Naomi Scott as the Pink Ranger, Ludi Lin as the Black Ranger, and Dacre Montgomery as the Red Ranger earlier this month.

Film news website Collider previously posted character descriptions for the film in August.

Jason – 17 years old, the makings of someone or something great if he would just get out of his own way. Jason was a legend of this town—a freshman quarterback with the skills to take him all the way. People knew his name. Children wore his jersey. Until, one night Jason wrapped his car around a pole and busted out his knee. Everything Jason was going to become ended in an instant. And with it, he lost himself. When we meet him at the start of the film, he's a kid in need of redemption. By the end, he'll be leading this disparate group of teens to shed their individual baggage and find who they truly are.

Kimberly – 17 years old, unconventionally cool all in a way the popular girls wish they were. In fact, she was one of those girls, but isn't anymore. Not since she's returned to school after an absence of 6 months. Rumors are flying as to why; rumors she seems not to care about, because she's come back with this new rebel-without-a-cause, edgy attitude. But the truth is, it's all masking a deep secret that makes her feel profoundly vulnerable.

Trini – 17 years old, mysterious and extremely bright. Her parents constantly move for work, making Trini the perpetual new girl to any school. A loner who owns it, Trini is self-sufficient, contemplative, but always observant. All she wants is to find her gang of friends, but she'll never admit it – least of all to herself.

Billy – 17 years old, slight and awkward. Billy is challenged in his abilities to communicate and interact socially. Whip-smart and sweet, but always odd. Sometimes in a fun way, sometimes not, Billy is a kid with no filter. Showing his emotions, understanding sarcasm, and dealing with his OCD is a constant challenge. Has never really had any friends and instantly gravitates towards Jason.

Zack – 17 years old, always the life of the party. Filled with bravado and swagger, Zack's tough and cool on the exterior. A charming guy who's never had trouble with the one-liner, nor lacked confidence around women. A great athlete that's never wanted to play on any team but his own. Zack advertises everything about himself, except the truth, which is that he lives in a trailer park with his single mom, and because of it, feels deeply inferior to all his peers.

The film is slated for January 13, 2017, after it was pushed back from July 2016.

Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) is on board to direct the film. Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz are penning the Power Rangers script. The two writers previously wrote the X-Men: First Class and Thor films. Saban Brands' Brian Casentini and Lionsgate's Allison Shearmur are producing the film.

Actor and MMA fighter Jason David Frank, who starred in the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series as Tommy Oliver, said he plans to appear in the film in "cameos at least."

The Power Rangers franchise previously inspired two live-action films from 20th Century Fox: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie opened in theaters in 1995 and Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie opened in theaters in 1997.

Source: Variety