Walter Emanuel Jones fires back at claims that his casting as a Black actor as the Black Power Ranger was a mistake.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers head writer, Tony Oliver, recently came out against the castings involved with the show. While appearing in the latest episode of Investigation Discovery’s new docuseries, Hollywood Demons, Oliver said in part that “it was such a mistake” in regards to casting a Black actor (Jones) and an Asian actress (the late Thuy Trang) as the Black and Yellow Rangers.
“It was an honor”
Jones responded to the comments on his social media, offering it was actually an honor to cast and play the Black Power Ranger.
“Incredible how many media outlets picked this up…” posted Jones on Instagram. “However while some choose to seek out the negative, I’ve always believed in focusing on the positive. I understand the impulse to address what might be seen as cultural insensitivity, but calling it a ‘mistake’ would dismiss the impact it had on countless people around the world who found inspiration and representation in TV’s first Black superhero — morphin’ into none other than the Black Power Ranger!”
Jones continued, “It wasn’t a mistake; it was a milestone. It was an honor.”
What’s next for Power Rangers?
Walter Emanuel Jones recently returned in Netflix’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always special. IMDb also lists Jones with being involved with Black: A Power Rangers Fan Film coming out in 2026.
Recently saw the news that a Power Rangers reboot is in works at Disney+.
