'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' Movie Casts Rita Repulsa: Elizabeth Banks Plays Villain!

Now that all five Rangers have been cast for next year's Power Rangers movie, a reboot of the Mighty Morphin show, the first big name in the cast has been announced. Elizabeth Banks, famous for her roles in films like the Hunger Games saga and Zack and Miri Make a Porno, has landed the role of Rita Repulsa, a major villain from the 90's show!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Banks has just officially signed for the role, becoming the first (and so far only) big name in a film that starred only relatively unknown actors. The star, who's also a producer and a director, is the sixth confirmed member of the cast so far, joining Naomi Scott as Kimberly/Pink Ranger, RJ Cyler as Billy/Blue Ranger, Becky G. as Trini/Yellow Ranger, Dacre Montgomery as Jason/Red Ranger and Zack Taylor as Zack/Black Ranger.

A photo posted by (@powerrangersmovie) on Feb 2 2016 at 9:09 PST

Banks will take on the role of Rita Repulsa, one of the most popular villains of the saga and the principal nemesis of the first season of the '90s show. In the past, the character has been played by actresses Machiko Soga (in the original Japanese, dubbed by Barbara Goodson and Susan Brady in English), Carla Perez and Julia Cortez and, in fact, Banks will be the first white woman to tackle the character.

On The Mary Sue, this hasn't gone unnoticed: the website makes an interesting case about the film seemingly taking a step back with this particular casting decision, as it's giving a role that has been traditionally played by minorities to a white actress. Still, it would appear that the decision to hire Banks is more due to the fact that she brings in a big name to a cast of otherwise unknowns.

If the Power Rangers movie is bringing in the same characters as the original 90s show, some missing cast members include Zordon (the mentor/floating head), their quirky robot sidekick Alpha, and comic relief Bulk and Skull.