Let’s be real for a second. When people talk about the 2017 Power Rangers movie, the conversation usually goes one of two ways. Either they’re groaning about the Krispy Kreme product placement, or they’re lamenting the fact that we never got a sequel. But if you actually sit down and rewatch it, one thing sticks out more than the giant gold monster or the alien-looking suits: Naomi Scott as the Pink Ranger.
Honestly, she was the glue.
Before she was flying on magic carpets in Aladdin or dealing with pop-star trauma in Smile 2, Naomi Scott was Kimberly Hart. And look, playing Kimberly is a tall order. You’re stepping into the boots of Amy Jo Johnson, an icon who basically defined 90s girl power. But Scott didn't just do a cover version of the original. She gave us something way more complicated.
What Naomi Scott Brought to the Pink Ranger Role
In the original '93 series, Kimberly was the "Valley Girl." She was a gymnast, she was popular, and while she was tough, she fit a very specific 90s archetype. Scott’s version flipped that.
This wasn't a girl who was just "the popular one." In the 2017 film, Kimberly Hart is actually kind of a mess at the start. She’s introduced in "Saturday detention" style, having been kicked off the cheerleading squad. Why? Because she did something genuinely mean. She shared a private photo of a friend, and she’s actively suffocating under the weight of her own guilt.
It was a bold move for a superhero movie. Usually, the heroes are "good people" who just need a suit to be "better people." Naomi Scott played a character who was actually seeking redemption. She told W Magazine at the time that if the directors wanted a "flipping gymnast," they shouldn't have cast her. She wanted to play someone smart, mature, and—most importantly—real.
The Training Was No Joke
Despite her "not a gymnast" comment, Scott had to get physical. We’re talking three workouts a day.
- Morning runs.
- Afternoon strength sessions.
- A 15-minute "blast" before bed.
When she got to Vancouver for filming, it turned into a three-week fight camp. She even admitted to accidentally punching a stunt double in the face during her screen test. Adrenaline is a hell of a thing.
Why the Naomi Scott Pink Ranger Performance Stood Out
The chemistry between the core five was the best part of the movie, but Scott and Dacre Montgomery (the Red Ranger) had this specific, quiet tension that felt grounded. It wasn't a rushed "we're in love because the script says so" romance. It was two kids who felt like outcasts in their own town.
Scott’s performance worked because she played the vulnerability just as well as the action. When she finally morphs—which, let's be honest, takes way too long in that movie—it feels like she’s finally earned the right to be a hero. She isn't just wearing the Naomi Scott Pink Ranger suit; she’s embodying the idea that your past mistakes don't define your future.
The Controversy of the "Mean Girl" Arc
Some fans hated the cyberbullying subplot. They felt it made Kimberly "unlikable." But that’s exactly why it works. In a world of sanitized heroes, seeing a teenager deal with the fallout of being a "mean girl" and trying to find her moral compass is way more interesting than just another girl who’s good at karate.
The Sequel That Never Was
We were supposed to get six movies. Six!
The post-credits scene teased Tommy Oliver (the Green Ranger), and the cast was signed for a massive franchise. But the box office didn't cooperate. The film made about $142 million on a budget of over $100 million. In Hollywood math, that’s a flop.
It’s a shame because the foundation was there. By the end of the film, the team was finally ready to be "The Power Rangers." We spent two hours on the origin story just to have the plug pulled before the real fun started.
Actionable Insights: Where to See Naomi Scott Next
If you’re still feeling the sting of the cancelled sequel, you aren't alone. But Naomi Scott’s career didn't stop at Angel Grove.
- Watch Smile 2 (2024): If you want to see her absolute range, this is it. She plays a pop star spiraling into madness, and it is a powerhouse performance.
- Revisit Aladdin (2019): She’s the standout as Princess Jasmine, and her song "Speechless" basically saved that live-action remake.
- Check out Anatomy of a Scandal: For a completely different vibe, see her in this Netflix thriller.
The Naomi Scott Pink Ranger era might be over, but she proved that even in a movie about giant robot dinosaurs, you can bring a level of human depth that stays with the audience long after the credits roll.
If you’re looking to scratch that nostalgia itch, the 2017 film is usually available on streaming platforms like Prime Video or for digital purchase. It's worth a rewatch just to see how much Scott actually carried that narrative. While the future of the Power Rangers franchise seems to be heading toward another reboot—likely a TV series on Netflix—the 2017 cast remains a "what if" that fans will be debating for years.