21 Mar – Much like the live-action "Beauty and the Beast", the new "Power Rangers" also features a gay character. However, in the latter, the character is not some sidekick but one of the side-kicking, punch-throwing protagonists. This marks the first time for a superhero blockbuster to feature a gay main character. In the original series, all of the Power Rangers are portrayed as straight but the new movie version reveals that one of the Rangers is having "girlfriend problems" rather than boyfriend problems, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Director Dean Israelite calls the small but significant moment "pivotal", saying that the character hasn't fully figured it out yet but "that's OK". The character in question is none other than the Yellow Ranger, Trini, played by singer-actor Becky G. So far news of a gay Power Ranger has been accepted with open arms by fans and critics alike. Even David Yost, who played the original Blue Ranger before leaving the 1990s series due to being harassed for being openly gay, applauded the move. "I think so many people in the LGBTQI community are going to be excited to see that representation," said Yost.
While "Beauty and the Beast" had been stirring many a controversial pot with its first gay character, causing the movie to be banned or censored in some territories, such as Malaysia, it seems that "Power Rangers" is not facing the same issue. Today, the Malaysian Censorship Board (LPF) approved the superhero movie for screening in Malaysia under the classification P13, meaning that parental guidance is advisable for children below 13-years-old. The movie will also still be screened in other regions, including Cambodia where it has received the G classification. Though in Singapore the movie has yet to receive a rating, it might be also be rated PG13, still suitable for viewing for the younger crowd. "Power Rangers" is set to open in cinemas this 23 March.