The Power Rangers franchise has arguably reinvented itself more than any other Science Fiction series. With twenty two seasons, two spin-off movies and one Hollywood reboot on the way, the international children’s brand has certainly had its fair share of success.
However, for every loyal, dedicated and nostalgic Power Rangers fan, there will undoubtedly be one season that holds a special place in their heart. This particular season will vary from viewer to viewer depending on their age, as the show itself now spans almost three generations. But, despite the mandatory obligation felt by all Ranger fans to select Mighty Morphin as their favourite, there are many worthy candidates amongst the ranks of its two-decade run.
Power Rangers Turbo (the fifth season) is one of the more unique entries in the spandex-clad history books of the Command Centre. The reason for this is due to the fact that producers decided to cast the new Blue Ranger (replacing Steve Cardenas), as a small child. This was a brave decision that young men of my age will remember fondly for giving the us the wonderful opportunity to relate to a Power Ranger on a completely different level (literally).
Now, Justin Stewart is all grown up and I have had the rare opportunity to speak to him about all things Power Rangers.
Buckle up and shift into Turbo!
What was it like as child actor on the set of Power Rangers Turbo? And did it have a dramatic affect on your school life?
Foster: No it didn’t actually affect my schooling. In fact I was taught on set and before that I was home-schooled anyway. Obviously it was tough for me to act and be in school at the same time. I mean, even before [Power Rangers Turbo] I was doing other shows so I was always home-schooled. Then when I was on set filming I was always in my dressing room learning.
What was life like after Power Rangers Turbo? Was it a conscious decision to move away from acting?
Foster: No it’s just been really up and down, I mean, I’ve always stuck to my craft with is martial arts. But you know, I work, I’m a normal human being and I have a 9-5 job. I do homeloans, refinancing and modifications, so I’m in the real-estate business.
As far as acting, I still go to auditions religiously…but it’s a matter of fishing really. I was telling someone earlier ‘I keep putting the hook out there, and eventually I’ll get a fish to bite on it’. So, it’s just a matter of attending regular auditions and keeping repetitive by making sure you do it over and over and over. I’ve also done some independent films here and there since Power Rangers.
But I’ve also just had a baby, so I’m a dad now!
THN: Congratulatons!
Foster: Thank you! He’s two now…so that’s a full time job in itself!
Have you seen the controversial online Power Rangers fan film starring James Van Der Beek? And if so what was your opinion on it?
Foster: Oh the fan film! I liked that…I really did. I mean it’s obviously not for kids and clearly aimed at an adult audience. But you know, James Van Der Beek is actually a huge Power Rangers fan and he wrote the film. He wrote the screenplay, produced it and did all the behind the scenes work himself. He’s a huge huge Power Rangers fan, so it’s actually pretty cool! And also, I grew up watching him on TV as well in things like Varsity Blues.
THN: Well he definitely helped to make quite a dark interpretation of the Power Rangers! [laughs].
Foster: [Laughs] Like I said, it was made for more of an adult audience than anything else, but I definitely think it was a good kind of dark. I didn’t like the suits that they chose though!
After Power Rangers Turbo concluded, you had one guest appearance in the following season, Power Rangers In Space. Was it your decision for the character to exit the series and remain on earth?
Foster: No, that’s just something that they had written into my contract so that’s just the way everything worked out. When I first started the series I knew that I was doing the movie, a following 52 episodes of Power Rangers Turbo, and one episode of Power Rangers In Space. So in the end, when it was getting close to my exit from the show I was well aware that my guest appearance would be it for me.
Nowadays I look back a lot and I really just wish that they would bring my character back, to give the fans an idea of where Justin’s at now. It would be nice. They do have a lot of cameo appearances from past rangers these days, so it would definitely be cool to reprise my role. But at the same time, Saban change the cast every season and I understand that that’s just the way they work.
THN: With filming now taking place in New Zealand it must make past Ranger appearances more difficult.
Foster: I don’t think that it’s a huge issue really because they were able to bring back previous cast members in both Samurai and Super Megaforce. So, I don’t think it’s a matter of them flying over to New Zealand, but more a matter with the writing.
Would you be interested in making an appearance in the upcoming movie reboot from Lionsgate and Dean Israelite?
Foster: [Laughs] Would I ever! I think that they would be smart to have me come back and show off my martial arts capability. I mean, I do all my own martial arts, I’m a third degree black belt and I still train. Also, I fit into the suit now so I don’t need to morph and grow [laughs]…maybe I’ll morph and shrink this time!
But hey, you know I would love to do it. From what I’ve heard it’s a complete reboot which means that it will be a whole new cast though. But it would make sense to have some sort of cameo appearances from well known past Rangers. For example maybe Walter Jones, Austin St John, Jason David Frank….Blake Foster [laughs]…Justin Stewart you know?
I mean, I worked on the show with all the Mighty Morphin Rangers, we did the Turbo Movie and I worked with everyone except David Yost and Walter Jones. So, it was still the classic era of wrist communicators, Zordon and Alpha. That’s what Power Rangers was for me and growing up watching the original series really made that hit home. Back in the day we had Zordon and the Power Chamber, but now it’s just all over the place!
I’m not really a fan of that E.T. looking thing in Dino Charge either, it just seems a little bit odd to me. It’s definitely not Alpha, but I still watch it now because of my son and he absolutely loves it. He loves Power Rangers and he constantly runs around the house with his helmet on, which is pretty awesome.
THN: As long as it’s a Blue helmet that’s fine!
Foster: No, unfortunately it’s a Red helmet…but I’ll settle for that. In fact, all the toys that my mom kept for me have been taken by him. So, Jackson now has toys of each generation of Ranger!
THN: Well you never know, maybe he’ll be a ranger one day.
Foster: He should be! He should be…if the show is still around of course.
Finally, what was it like working with two different generations of Power Rangers? And did it dramatically affect your experience on the show?
Foster: Well obviously I liked the first cast better…not to diss the second cast of course! But I grew up watching Mighty Morphin, so I really enjoyed working with those particular Rangers. The second cast was also awesome because I was already on set when they joined, so I wasn’t the newbie anymore. I was then the old veteran which was so great! But I will definitely always go with my first cast.
Blake Foster, may the power protect you always.
