The ‘high school outcasts’ that transform into the Power Rangers are not only fighting evil – they are fighting for representation.
The new Power Rangers movie addresses diversity. Not only do they have a ranger who is part of the LGBT community (Yellow Ranger is gay and Latina), Billy the Blue Ranger is on the autism spectrum.
RJ Cyler, who pays Billy the Blue Ranger, in an interview on ScreenRant says about his character:
“I knew that it was my job to show, you know, that people that are on the spectrum are just regular people, literally, just how we talk, how me and Becky [Becky G, Yellow Ranger] talk, they feel the same way, they have the same emotions, they wanna be loved, that want people to love, they want relationships they want, you know, connections, and it’s just like I was really excited to be able to play that ’cause I know it means so much to so many people, ’cause all of us are affected by it… and it’s something I feel like we needed to have in this movie to be honest.”
RJ Cyler in the above Access Hollywood video states that it is important for superheros to be seen as ordinary people.
The Art of Autism sees this a step in the right direction. We would like to see ActuallyAutistic people employed to play autistic characters in movies. Many autistic people are struggling to make it in the entertainment industry. Keri Bowers of the Art of Autism recently attended a meeting in Hollywood about inclusion, diversity, and workability in the entertainment industry.
Friday, March 24, the Lionsgate movie will be released in a theater near you.
