The last film featuring Power Rangers star Jason David Frank, titled Legend of the White Dragon, has been released to the public. Amy Jo Johnson, who starred alongside Frank in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, shared her thoughts on his final cinematic appearance.
Jason David Frank, who famously portrayed Tommy Oliver in the Power Rangers series, passed away in November 2022 at the age of 49. During the latter part of his career, he was involved in the creation of Legend of the White Dragon, a film inspired by the Power Rangers. The movie, which casts Frank in the lead role, saw several delays before its release. It finally premiered in theaters this past weekend, competing with other releases such as The Dog Stars and Coyote vs. Acme.
Amy Jo Johnson, who played the original Pink Ranger, Kimberly Hart, in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, expressed her admiration for Frank’s performance on Instagram. She posted an image of herself standing beside a movie poster for Legend of the White Dragon. In her post, Johnson praised Frank, saying he “shines” in his role and that his “heart is on his sleeves.” She concluded her message by congratulating everyone involved in the project, describing the film as “a beautiful way for all of us to celebrate his life and his talent.”
Legend of the White Dragon follows the story of Erik Reed, portrayed by Frank, who previously was the superhero known as White Dragon. Having disappeared three years earlier, Erik returns to clear his name and reconnect with his wife and daughter, only to find himself hunted by the vengeful main antagonist, Dragon Prime, played by co-director Aaron Schoenke. The production of the film began in May 2021 after successfully raising over $500,000 through a second Kickstarter campaign.
While the film features appearances from other Power Rangers alumni such as Jason Faunt (Time Force), Cerina Vincent (Lost Galaxy), and Ciara Hanna (Megaforce and Super Megaforce), it is set in a universe distinct from the Power Rangers. The cast also includes the late Michael Madsen, Rachele Brooke Smith, Andrew Bachelor, David Ramsey, and Mark Dacascos. Aaron Schoenke directed the film alongside his father, Sean Schoenke, and also contributed to the screenplay with Alex Kellerman.
Jason David Frank’s character, Tommy Oliver, was not one of the original five Mighty Morphin Power Rangers but joined the team during the first season in the episode “Green with Evil, Part I: Out of Control” after being temporarily brainwashed by Rita Repulsa. Both Tommy and Kimberly, portrayed by Johnson, shared a romantic subplot before Johnson’s departure from the series. Frank and Johnson later returned to their roles in 1997’s Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie and made cameo appearances in the 2017 Power Rangers reboot.
The film Legend of the White Dragon was distributed by Well Go USA Entertainment and is available for pre-order digitally. In 2023, Johnson ventured into writing with the Boom! Studios comic book limited series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return, released to mark the 30th anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
