Exclusive: Steve Cardenas Talks Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

The Power Rangers franchise is easily one of the longest-running children’s television shows currently on the air. Although it comes with a certain amount of pain to refer to the series a ‘children’s show’, it is also a swift reminder of the shows humble origins twenty two years ago.

Power Rangers may have an army of fans ranging from the age of three to thirty three. But, it’s only us older, wiser and heavily nostalgic fans that can truly remember the golden age of Power Rangers. In a time before CGI, High definition and actors who have zero knowledge of martial arts, was the definitive and most iconic iteration of the entire series.

Way back in 1993, an intergalactic being known as ‘Zordon’ recruited five beautiful, diverse and incredibly intelligent teenagers. These five would unite to become an unstoppable spandex-clad superhero team, who would take on Rita Replusa and her army of monsters on a weekly basis.

It was simple, it was entertaining and it was a phenomenon. The programme had such a huge impact on a number of nineties children such as myself, that the series has endured and survived ever since. Now, with the twentieth anniversary just passed and a Hollywood reboot on the way, Power Rangers is more popular than ever.

So, prepare to say ‘it’s Morphin time!’ as I have had the honour of personally interviewing the Red Ranger himself, Steve Cardenas. Check it out below!

When you were first cast in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, did you feel any pressure taking over as the Red Ranger from Austin St John?

Cardenas: Yeah I did actually! But at first I didn’t even know that I would be replacing the Red Ranger. I didn’t find that out till later and when I did I suddenly became very nervous because I knew that there was going to be a lot of angry fans! But I just hoped that I would do well in the end.

How does it feel to have worn (arguably) the most iconic suit in the entire Power Rangers franchise?

Cardenas: It’s so amazing man! Everybody always asks me which suit I preferred out of the Red and Blue and I’m just like ‘Come on! You’re seriously asking me that?’ Of course my favourite is always going to be Red! [Laughs].

With Power Rangers there is undoubtedly a lot of ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) work involved. How much of filming is actually spent physically wearing the costume?

Cardenas: I would say that we wore the suits about a third of the time probably. We did a lot of stuff in costume but with our helmets off in the command centre and things like that.

For young people of my age and generation the 1995 Power Rangers Movie is quite a nostalgic childhood memory. Do you have any particular fond memories from the set?

Cardenas: Well yeah, the whole experience! We filmed the movie in Sydney, Australia and it was amazing. I had a blast!

What is your opinion on the upcoming reboot from Lionsgate and Dean Israelite? And would you be interested in making any sort of cameo appearance?

Cardenas: I would be very interested in taking on a cameo role! I’ve already told Lionsgate that I would love to be involved, just for the fans. I even told them that I would do it for free because I don’t care about the money. I just want to be able to go back and put the suit back on. Or not even necessarily put the suit back on, but just something to be able to give back to fans a little bit. So like I said, they don’t even have to pay me! I would just do it for the fun of it.

How do you feel about James Van Der Beek’s portrayal of your character in the controversial Power Rangers fan film?

Cardenas: It was controversial, but I liked it. I mean, it’s definitely not Power Rangers…but it was a great little creative piece of work and I thought it was awesome. Also, it’s Dawson playing me! [Laughs] so how can you not like that? It was pretty cool and he’s also a very good actor. The special effects were amazing and I also liked seeing Power Rangers fighting with machine guns! That was cool to see. Plus, Katie Sackoff is pretty hot too!

Steve Cardenas, may the power protect you always.