Jason David Frank's Final Project, 'Legend Of The White Dragon', Is Receiving A Theatrical Release

The longtime 'Power Rangers' actor died in November at 49

Bat in the Sun Productions and Bascule Productions Ltd. have set a North American theatrical release for Legend of the White Dragon, the final film for longtime Power Rangers actor Jason David Frank.

While Deadline, who broke the news, does not give a specific date, a fall window is indicated, one meant to coincide with what would’ve been the martial artist’s 50th birthday. Frank was born on September 4, 1973. As the date falls on a Monday this year, this could mean a release on the day itself or the weekend preceding it, or which it could be considered part of, since that Monday is also Labor Day. Scott Kennedy’s Falling Forward Films will release it exclusively in theaters in the top 25 markets.

Legend of the White Dragon is considered Frank’s passion project, so much so that before his death by suicide in November 2022, it was clear that he was prepping this to be the start of a whole franchise. Something he was willing to not only decline to be in the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Once and Always 30th-anniversary special, but step away from Power Rangers entirely, even when it’s a project that’s been described as “a mature take on Power Rangers”. In his years with the franchise, Frank had played Tommy Oliver (and versions and doppelgangers of him), who started as the Mighty Morphin’ Green Ranger in the series’s 17th episode and ended up in five different suits across 200 episodes and two films, with his last television appearance being the 25th-anniversary special, Super Ninja Steel’s “Dimensions in Danger”.

Legend of the White Dragon is directed by Aaron Schoenke and Sean Schoenke. It follows Frank as Erik Reed, known as the White Dragon, returning to the city he fought to protect following three years as a fugitive. He must now clear his name and save his secret family before the mysterious Dragon Prime (Aaron Schoenke) enacts his own revenge. Also featured in the film’s cast are Frank’s daughter Jenna, Power Rangers alumni like teammate Johnny Yong Bosch, as well as Time Force’s Jason Faunt and Megaforce and Super Megaforce’s Ciara Hanna, who he met working on subsequent teamup appearances, and even Lost Galaxy’s Cerina Vincent, whom Frank presumably met during his years on the convention circuit. There’s also Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight’s Mark Dacascos, who happens to be America’s original Red Ranger from the Bioman pilot, as well as King Bach, Michael Madsen, and even Arrow’s David Ramsey.

Sean Schoenke commended the tireless work of the production team in completing the film even in the face of such a major loss, ensuring that it “meets the high standards that Jason set for himself”. He calls the resulting film a “powerful and moving tribute to his talent and dedication.”

Source: Deadline