Power Rangers Star Dacre Montgomery Reveals Failed Four-Movie Deal

In the boardrooms of Century City and the high-stakes production offices scattered across Los Angeles, the distance between a “strong start” and a financial disaster is often measured in a few million dollars and a steep second-week drop. For those living and working in the heart of the entertainment capital, the recent reflections from Dacre Montgomery regarding the 2017 Power Rangers film serve as a cautionary tale about the volatility of the “big business” side of cinema. It is one thing to land a lead role in a $100 million production; it is quite another to see a planned cinematic universe evaporate because the numbers didn’t align with studio expectations.

The Anatomy of a Box Office Miscalculation

When Power Rangers first hit theaters in March 2017, the initial signals were promising. The film, directed by Dean Israelite, managed to open domestically with over $40 million. In the ecosystem of Hollywood, a strong opening weekend often generates a sense of momentum that can carry a franchise for a decade. However, as any seasoned analyst in the LA film circuit knows, “front-loaded” numbers are a dangerous metric. Even as the film eventually clawed its way to a total of $142.5 million globally—comprising $85 million in North America and $57 million overseas—the final tally was a far cry from what Lionsgate needed to justify a sequel.

With a production budget estimated between $100 and $105 million, the film faced an uphill battle against marketing costs and theater splits. The result was a stark financial reality: an estimated loss of $74 million for the studio. This is the “big business” Montgomery referred to in his recent interview with MovieWeb. For the cast, including Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, and Ludi Lin, the experience was a whirlwind of success and sudden stillness. For Montgomery, who played Jason (the Red Ranger), the project was his first major job and a formative period of his life, coming after a decade of striving to be hired. The tragedy of the Power Rangers reboot isn’t just the financial loss, but the collapse of the creative expansion that was promised to the talent and the fans.

The Illusion of the Four-Picture Deal

One of the most revealing aspects of Montgomery’s commentary is the mention of the four-picture deal. In the industry, these contracts are designed to lock in talent and create a stable foundation for a franchise, similar to the structure Lionsgate utilized for The Hunger Games. The expectation was clear: one original film followed by three sequels. This structure is intended to build a narrative arc over several years, allowing the IP to grow and the characters to evolve. But in the world of high-budget superhero films, these deals are only as strong as the opening weekend’s legs.

The 2017 film was a reboot that loosely adapted “Day of the Dumpster,” the pilot episode of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Despite the pedigree of the production companies involved—including Temple Hill Entertainment and SCG Films—and the involvement of franchise creator Haim Saban, the mixed reviews prevented the film from achieving the “evergreen” status required for a multi-film deal. When the investment doesn’t recoup, the “four-picture deal” becomes a piece of paper rather than a career roadmap. This cycle of boom-and-bust is a recurring theme in industry trends that often leave young actors in a precarious position as they navigate their early careers in Southern California.

The Endless Cycle of the Reboot

The journey of the Power Rangers IP since 2017 highlights the current instability of franchise management. The intellectual property, which traces its roots back to the Super Sentai series by Toei Company Ltd, has spent years in a state of developmental limbo. In 2020, a TV series reboot was slated for Netflix, with Jonathan Entwistle and Jenny Klein serving as showrunners. However, that project was scrapped in 2024, proving that even the deepest pockets in streaming aren’t immune to the “development hell” that plagues many Hollywood scripts.

Now, the focus has shifted toward Disney+. The duo of Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz are reportedly handling a new TV series version. For the fans and the former cast, this shift represents the ongoing attempt to find a format that works for a property that means a great deal to people but struggles to translate into a billion-dollar cinematic empire. As the IP moves from Saban to new owners and platforms, the lesson remains the same: the creative ambition of a project is always subservient to the financial recoupment of the studio.

Navigating the Entertainment Maze in Los Angeles

Given my background in analyzing the intersection of entertainment and local economic impact, it’s clear that the experience of the Power Rangers cast is a common one for many professionals in the Los Angeles area. Whether you are an actor signing your first multi-picture deal or a creative professional trying to protect your interests in a volatile market, the “big business” side of the industry requires a specific set of safeguards. If you find yourself navigating these complex waters in the LA basin, You’ll see three types of local professionals you should prioritize.

Entertainment Contract Attorneys

When dealing with multi-picture deals or IP agreements, you need a specialist who understands the nuances of “pay-or-play” clauses and residuals. Look for attorneys with a proven track record of negotiating with major studios like Lionsgate or Disney, and ensure they have deep ties to SAG-AFTRA regulations to ensure your long-term interests are protected even if a project is scrapped.

Certified Talent Managers

The transition from a “first job” to a sustainable career requires more than just a good agent. You need a manager who focuses on brand longevity rather than just the next paycheck. Seek out managers who have experience transitioning talent from “franchise faces” into diverse roles across different mediums, preventing the “typecasting” trap that often follows a high-profile reboot.

Industry-Specific Financial Advisors

The income of an entertainment professional is notoriously asymmetrical. A massive payout from a lead role can be followed by years of development hell. Look for advisors who specialize in “lumpy” income streams and understand the tax implications of production bonuses and international residuals, helping you maintain stability regardless of whether a sequel gets greenlit.

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