The two most iconic Power Rangers villains are both returning in 2023 in two separate projects. The Power Rangers universe turns 30 in 2023, something that will be celebrated not only with a new Power Rangers series, Cosmic Fury but also with a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers reunion. Nostalgia and references to past seasons have always been part of the Power Rangers franchise, and it will be no different in 2023.
From Mighty Morphin to Dino Fury, Power Rangers has had dozens of main antagonists – not to mention the countless Power Rangers’ “monsters of the week.” Still, just like a lot of elements from Mighty Morphin, the original Power Rangers villains are still the most recognizable ones. Fortunately, Power Rangers is revisiting its original 1990s villains on TV in 2023.
Rita Repulsa Is Returning For Netflix’s Power Rangers Reunion
Barbara Goodson, who voiced Rita Repulsa based on Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger’s Witch Bandora, is returning for Netflix’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Reunion Once & Always. Described as a scripted, standalone Power Rangers anniversary special, Once & Always will reunite Rangers from all three Mighty Morphin Power Rangers seasons, including but not limited to original Blue and Black Rangers David Yost and Walter Emanuel Jones, respectively. Though not much is known about Once & Always’ story, a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers reunion would never be complete without Rita Repulsa and her putty patrollers. Rita’s role in Once & Always has yet to be revealed.
Curiously, Rita Repulsa as portrayed in the classic Power Rangers TV show no longer exists at that point in the canon. During Power Rangers in Space’s “Countdown to Destruction”, Rita’s evilness was removed from her by Zordon’s energy, meaning that Rita was pretty much redeemed by the end of the Zordon Era. Rita Repulsa would return years later in Power Rangers Mystic Force, except she was now helping the Power Rangers as the Empress of Good Magic. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Once & Always incorporates Rita, although there is no shortage of possibilities for how it could work.
Power Rangers Dino Fury Brought Lord Zedd Back Ahead Of Cosmic Fury
Power Rangers Dino Fury season 1 brought Lord Zedd back to a Power Rangers TV show canon more than two decades after Zedd’s last appearance in Space’s “Countdown to Destruction”. Like Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd had also been redeemed at the end of the Zordon Era. Still, the evil version of the second most iconic Mighty Morphin Power Rangers villain was recreated by Dino Fury’s Reaghoul. Zedd’s role in Dino Fury was limited yet essential to the story, and now the Emperor of Evil is expected to return in the Power Rangers Dino Fury sequel Cosmic Fury as one of the main antagonists.
Power Rangers Dino Fury season 2 ended with the Dino Fury Rangers going into space to look for Lord Zedd, who was responsible for the destruction of Rafkon, the home planet of Zayto, Aiyon, and future Cosmic Fury Red Ranger Amelia. Though the Rafkonians survived and found a new home, Lord Zedd remains a threat to the entire universe. Three decades after Tommy Oliver and his team faced Lord Zedd, the Emperor of Evil is once again challenging a Power Rangers team. Between Rita’s return in Once & Always and Lord Zedd’s return for Cosmic Fury, Power Rangers proves it hasn’t forgotten who its most iconic villains are.