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On February 11, 2026, the entertainment world mourned the loss of James Van Der Beek, beloved for his roles in “Varsity Blues” and “Dawson’s Creek,” who succumbed to complications from colorectal cancer. While celebrated for his acting, Van Der Beek also left his mark as a writer on several projects. Notably, he co-created and starred in the 2017 Viceland comedy series “What Would Diplo Do?” and contributed to a 2015 short film within the “Power Rangers” universe. This project, though unofficially linked, showcased Van Der Beek alongside Katee Sackhoff of “The Mandalorian” fame in the fan-made film “Power/Rangers.”
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Despite its modest budget, “Power/Rangers” stands out among fan creations, often rivaling the grandeur of major Hollywood productions. Directed by Joseph Kahn, known for his work with artists like Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, and Eminem, the film effectively utilized its brief runtime to deliver a compelling narrative. Kahn’s expertise in storytelling was pivotal to the film’s success.
Diverging from the typical family-friendly “Power Rangers” fare, “Power/Rangers” embraced a mature approach, replete with R-rated violence, adult language, and complex themes. Van Der Beek portrayed a reimagined Red Ranger, Rocky, and co-wrote the screenplay with Kahn and Dutch Southern. Sackhoff took on the role of Kimberly, the original Pink Ranger, offering a fresh take on the character.
Released on YouTube and Vimeo on February 23, 2015, “Power/Rangers” quickly gained traction. Vimeo highlighted the film as a Staff Pick and featured an interview with Joseph Kahn about its debut. However, this attention drew the ire of Saban, the rights holder for the “Power Rangers” franchise. Citing copyright infringement, Saban swiftly demanded the film’s removal from both platforms, a directive that was briefly enforced.
Saban had Power/Rangers temporarily taken down
Adi Shankar Productions
Interestingly, Saban’s official 2017 “Power Rangers” movie failed to captivate audiences, struggling at the box office. This contrast highlights the challenges and complexities of adapting beloved franchises for the big screen, a discussion that continues to evolve.
“Power/Rangers” has since been uploaded across multiple YouTube channels. As Kahn explained in his interview with Vimeo about the film’s removal, it was ultimately determined that it fell under fair use as a parody. Surely, Saban is aware of subsequent uploads of the movie, and would have removed them if it were within the company’s legal rights to do so.Â
Meanwhile, 2017’s “Power Rangers” bombed at the box office, so it’s not as if Saban itself has done a better job of ushering the franchise into the world of film. But that’s a whole other discussion entirely.Â