Jason David Frank’s New Movie Honors Tommy’s Most Iconic Power Rangers Forms

Although Legend of the White Dragon is very different from Power Rangers, Jason David Frank’s new film references Tommy Oliver in one big way.

Summary

• Legend of the White Dragon pays homage to Tommy Oliver's most iconic Power Rangers forms, the Green Ranger and the White Ranger, through the character of Erik Reed.
• The film serves as a celebration of Jason David Frank's Power Rangers career and the impact he had on pop culture.
• The Green Ranger and the White Ranger are arguably the most iconic of Tommy Oliver's Power Rangers forms due to how important and unique Mighty Morphin was.

Legend of the White Dragon, Jason David Frank’s final movie, subtly honors two of Tommy Oliver’s most iconic Power Rangers forms. While Legend of the White Dragon is not a Power Rangers movie, the film is inspired by Jason David Frank’s Power Rangers legacy. From the costumes to the powers, Legend of the White Dragon is set to be a combination of classic Super Sentai tropes with a gritty take on martial arts films.

Jason David Frank is not the only Power Rangers actor in Legend of the White Dragon, which features three other names that were once in Power Rangers. Jason David Frank was part of the Power Rangers franchise for almost 25 years, appearing in multiple seasons and movies between Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993) and Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel (2017). Although Legend of the White Dragon is very different from Power Rangers, Jason David Frank’s new film references Tommy Oliver in one big way.

Legend Of The White Dragon’s Hero References 2 Tommy Power Rangers Forms

Erik Reed, Jason David Frank’s character in Legend of the White Dragon, was once a hero known as the White Dragon. The White Dragon’s powers are derivate from a crystal, which Erik Reed now has to retrieve. Considering Jason David Frank’s Power Rangers legacy, it is difficult not to associate the “White Dragon” name with the first two of Tommy’s Power Rangers forms. Those were Mighty Morphin’s Green Ranger, whose powers originated from the Dragonzord; and Mighty Morphin’s White Ranger, whose powers originated from the White Light. Therefore, the “White Dragon” name is a callback to both the Green Dragonzord and the White Tiger Ranger.

Legend of the White Dragon’s Power Rangers inspirations suggests that the film will be a celebration of the career of Jason David Frank, who originally played Tommy Oliver in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Introduced as the evil Green Ranger that had been brainwashed by Rita Repulsa, Tommy eventually broke free of her magic and joined the Power Rangers. Although the Green Ranger could only have so much screen time due to the lack of Zyuranger footage, Mighty Morphin soon introduced the White Ranger as the second of Tommy Oliver’s Power Rangers forms. As the White Ranger, Tommy led the team until Mighty Morphin Power Rangers ended.

LOTWD Confirms Which Of Tommy's Power Rangers Were The Most Iconic

Tommy Oliver took many Power Rangers’ forms and colors throughout the saga, from Mighty Morphin to Super Ninja Steel. The “Dimensions in Danger” crossover introduced Tommy’s Master Morpher, which allowed him to morph into any of his Power Rangers forms and highlighted how iconic the character had become. However, of all of Tommy’s Power Rangers, his original Mighty Morphin colors were the most iconic. The Green Ranger changed Power Rangers forever and elevated the show, while the White Ranger represented the first time a Power Ranger changed colors. As the White Ranger, Tommy soon became the face of the Power Rangers universe.

Power Rangers’ Red Rangers are often seen as the most important characters in their respective seasons. While there is something special about the title of Red Ranger, Tommy’s time as a Red Ranger in Zeo and Turbo was not as special as his original run in Mighty Morphin. There have been plenty of Red Rangers, yet not many Green Rangers or White Rangers that joined their teams as part of the “sixth Ranger" trope. Tommy’s Power Rangers history also includes Dino Thunder’s Black Ranger. By subtly referencing the Green Dragonzord and the White Ranger, Legend of the White Dragon confirms which of Tommy’s Power Rangers forms were the most iconic.