Did you know: Iggy Azalea was initially offered the role of Rita Repulsa in Lionsgate’s 2017 Power Rangers movie?
Iggy Azalea, a popular rapper, recently made an appearance on Nick Cannon’s Power 106 radio show, and revealed both her candidacy for the role of Rita Repulsa, and her decision to reject the role.
The rapper claims she was intimidated by the idea of going into acting, specifically for a role as crazy as Rita Repulsa.
Actress Elizabeth Banks was eventually offered the role, and accepted it, as fans will remember from Lionsgate’s 2017 feature film.
“You know what, funny enough, random story, I was almost the villain in a movie. Power Rangers. You had to film in like Vancouver or somewhere and it took like a movie length amount of time and I was like ‘I ain’t doing that’. But you know what, I was intimidated because I knew that there was no way I would be able to play that villain because…I just…I don’t know, I was scared. I was scared by the concept of the whole thing.” – Iggy Azalea
Lionsgate’s 2017 Power Rangers movie is the only property under the franchise’s name to film in Vancouver, Canada. The TV show remains filmed in New Zealand.
Over the last few years, Azalea has become an incredibly popular pop culture icon, and fans will forever be left wondering if her acting debut in the Power Rangers movie would have helped the film soar to greater box office heights.
Much to the dismay of Power Rangers fans, 2017’s feature film under-performed at the box office after bringing in just over $140 million globally, putting any plans for potential sequels into question.
The movie’s failure arguably led to Hasbro’s recent acquisiton of the Power Rangers property in full from Saban Brands for $522 million in early May 2018 (recap here).
Since then, Hasbro has been in talks with Paramount to produce a new Power Rangers movie, essentially rebooting the franchise’s film universe (recap here).
2017’s Saban’s Power Rangers movie follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world- is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.
Starring Becky G, Ludi Lin, Naomi Scott, Dacre Montgomery, RJ Cyler, Elizabeth Banks, and Bryan Cranston, Saban’s Power Rangers is available on home video now.
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She’s a very good rapper
Well judging by how the movie turned out, I think Iggy Azalea made the right decision.