from Power Rangers to Cybertron: Jason David Frank's rejected spin-off

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If you were a kid in the 1990’s there was this FEVER THIS MANIA FOR Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and not just for the show, but for it’s rangers. Boys loved the Red ranger, the martial artist leader, while girls loved the Pink Ranger, valley girl style, but everyone and I mean everybody LOVED Tommy. At the beginning of his time, he was just a brainwashed teenager who did Rita Repulsa’s task of destroy the Power Rangers, however after breaking the spell, he quickly became the coolest member of the team. Fans loved him. However, he couldn’t stay on the team. Power Rangers, Mighty Morphin specifically, takes footage from the Japanese Super Sentai series, Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger, a show where they’re Green Ranger had died. So they couldn’t do much with that…Green Ranger only came out when he was 100% necessary to be there, and the explanation in the show was that tommy couldn’t hold his powers forever. Now, originally, that was gonna be the end of Tommy, as their next Sixth Ranger, a White Ranger was gonna be a whole new actor. So, where was Jason David Frank originally gonna go? No better place than a pilot for a spin-off you never heard of…
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#PowerRangers #Cybertron
This video was made for teenagers and adult fans. Not for kids.
Help me reach 100,000 subscribers! Click here to subscribe ► bit.ly/Subscribe2Este

[@hiEste]

stream my new song 🫶 5loko.com/

[@Missjjade]

I’m sorry lost my ability to hear after I heard chills attempt at rapping 😂 I’ll check it out

[@jamesbounds]

Honestly Jason David Frank made the right call staying with Power Rangers.

[@shresthasengupta8984]

Rest in peace Jason David Frank.

[@storywhatifs]

Amen

[@akamikedavid]

I loved VR Troopers when I was a kid but had no idea that JDF was slated to be the main character. Definitely a forgotten gem but I understand why it went off the air. Can't burn thru your Japanese footage that quickly. It was painfully obvious, even as a kid, that they were reusing footage to pad the length of the show.

[@axon1637]

It wasnt obvious the footage was re-used, I was a kid in the 90s and had no idea it was Japanese footage. I loved VR troopers too, had the toys and all, shame the show didnt get past 2 seasons.

[@timdakis2107]

From The Makers Of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Comes CYBERTRON. Also the young lady (Jhoanna Trias) who played Mia did played the Dark Yellow Ranger girl in Mighty Morphin Season 2 episodes Green No More Part 1 and 2.

[@christinatheostav]

Tiger ninja my superhero

[@christinatheostav]

Tiger ninja my superhero

[@websurferblue]

O snaps really I will rewatch that episode

[@AlexanderKahrs]

I am glad we're talking a lil more about Cybertron and what become VR Troopers. I will always remember seeing a pic of JDF and that one mask in a promo thing for Cybertron in an issue of Disney Adventures magazine, and the next thing I knew we had VR Troopers with someone else entirely lol

[@hiEste]

crazy

[@peteryang8991]

I remember VR Troopers. I think I was in the 4th grade during that time. I always wonder why that show didn't get to continue like Power Rangers.

[@venerandoalamaresjr.8910]

Fun fact, the actress for Mia actually played like Trini’s counterpart from the Dark Rangers in Green No More 😅

[@hiEste]

oh damn no clue, thanks for that !

[@websurferblue]

@@hiEste Now kinda wish the VR troopers would at least give each of them a hero name

[@timdakis2107]

@@hiEste that's what told you in my comment.

[@VictorHernandez-nj2lo]

Fun fact: JDF & Jaimie Kennedy (Elmo) were both at Big Texas Comic Con in 2022. Unfortunately, no one asked either one of them about Cybertron

[@eugenelau3927]

Pity production team kept ignoring JDF's potential to launch Cybertron, Legend of White Dragon!! He tried too many times before he passed away, poor dude!!! It did a number on his health!!!

[@hiEste]

damn :( fr

[@malcomalexander9437]

@@hiEste JDF wanted to become a major Hollywood star, he thought that Power Rangers would be a steppingstone for him getting bigger and better roles, however his career never actually went anywhere.

[@gogereaver349]

@@malcomalexander9437 wouldent any actor. but to shake that you did kids tv stigma is hard to get rid of.

[@malcomalexander9437]

@@gogereaver349 Meanwhile in Japan, there are actors from that Toei and Tsuburaya can't get back to appear because they became so huge that their schedules are too busy with how big they got, and even if they weren't too busy, their casting agencies will actively prevent them from getting Toei or Tsuburaya's calls, because Japanese casting agencies are crazy.

[@matthewrosenthal753]

Bradley Hawkins eventually was the Voice of Trey of Triforia as a single entity, the Gold Ranger in Zeo, and Sarah Joy Brown, Katlin Star of VR Toopers, played the winter Sports star Kat tries to set Tommy up with in Zeo.

[@user-ks8kn4hx8q]

​@Mark Guerrero That was actually the plan. After VR Troopers ended, the show was going to be put into the Power Rangers continuity

[@thedeadpoolwhochuckles.6852]

Sarah moved on to soap operas.

[@Timeforceletsgo]

The ESquad got me off hardcore drugs! Thank you ESquad!

[@universallycape]

Cybertron actually looks a lot like VR Troopers

[@rubixcubegod]

I was looking at the info for CyberTron and was like.. "Isn't that VR Troopers?" lol

[@spidertheakronaut]

Thanks for mentioning Tommy's "HUT SEET DIAAA" adlib, I felt like I was the only one who picked up on that over the years 🤣

[@GHOSTDRAGONWOLFLIONSOFFICIAL]

Dear Este Jason David Frank trained me in karate and was a good mentor of mine. I knew him while he was alive and he wrote 11 stories with me. I miss him so I'm hesitant to share but I'm just the protector of the original work of Jason David Frank and myself while we worked on karate. God bless you este and have a nice day. Love your channel always will! R.I.P my master Jason David Frank.

[@hiEste]

ty for telling us ur story

[@GHOSTDRAGONWOLFLIONSOFFICIAL]

@Este you're welcome. I'll come back one day and share info about the super heroes me and jason made together. You'll be the first to see the post. I'll make sure the video reaches you.

[@AzazelCodex]

Your Channel brings back my memories of watching power rangers this is an awesome video Este 😁😎

[@hiEste]

Thank you so much 😁

[@HorrorHound87]

Just subbed to your Channel, Este 😎 Still love the lore and fun of Tokusatsu which began In my childhood with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, VR Troopers, Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad, Etc.

[@hiEste]

Thanks for subbing :)

[@Y2Jerms]

I thought for sure you talked about this already. Either way, great video.

[@TheOneTrueDragonKing]

Wait, this is just VR Troopers! I do believe JDF could have headlined his own show, but Cybertron just wasn't the right name for it. That name was already taken. VR Troopers just wouldn't have been the same with JDF instead of the actor that came on. Hasbro had the right idea, but not the right name or plot.

[@autisticgriffzorer9526]

Awesome video 👍 Este thanks for another ranger update and I do think that legendary ranger does get be in vr troopers or in transformers games to

[@kingsleyonumbu7102]

You're my new fave KZbinr Este! Subscribed 👌🏾

[@hiEste]

wow thank u kingsley! welcome!

[@TrekTrav]

Jesus, from nerdy teen to sweaty adult.

[@wifiguy51]

You didn't mention that Jamie Kennedy played Elmo. I guess Jamie Kennedy was really big in the early 2000s so that wouldn't have hit as hard with your audience but he was crazy big, starred in Scream 2, dated Jennifer Love Hewitt. Dude did pretty well!

[@hiEste]

yeah idk who that man is

[@sageoffire3964]

Cybertron

[@kamenrider64]

They still could've went with cybertron with Brad Hawkins and they could've changed the name into something else but I think why saban decided to adapt the other metal heroes as well and made it into vr troopers so he could have another team show

[@krystiancharos889]

What if they still go with Cybertron, and VR troopers would've been a sequel. Not only JB and Kaitlin use footage from Spielban, Ryan would use footage from Juspion, rather than space sheriff shaider.

[@axon1637]

They couldnt go with Cybertron because the name was a transformers copy right, Saban would have to pay royalties with every episode every time it aired and thats if Transformers didnt sue Saban into cancelling the show. They HAD to rename the show.

[@krystiancharos889]

@@axon1637 then what other name will suit it?

[@kamenrider64]

@@krystiancharos889 Maybe they could've went with Psycon which was the original name before it was changed to Cybertron there was a script for it which was what they actually used in the pilot so that could work or maybe they didn't think it sounded too cool enough

[@krystiancharos889]

@@kamenrider64 how about virtual reality psycon?

[@CulturePhilter]

I remember watching VR troupers. Good show. Much better than the other Power Ranger type show Big Bad Beatleborgs

[@axon1637]

Contacting a studio/individual in the 90s you had to get a PO Box address and then write a letter.

[@krystiancharos889]

Here's how the plot would go. During the cold war, a former technical major within the US Army named Cyrus Riktor assisted Professor Horatio Hart and fellow scientist Tyler Steele in the development of the Cybertron project. Testing on prisoners of war led to Riktor's arrest and supposed execution in Russia, but he managed to fake his death by bribing prison officials. Riktor escapes to Cross World City where he joins several criminal syndicates, eventually killing off their leaders and stealing their riches. In addition, he undergoes plastic surgery to alter his appearance, making himself younger than he really is. He then builds Ziktor Industries under the name of Karl Ziktor. When entering virtual reality, Ziktor builds an empire and creates an army of mutants and robots while converting himself into a cyborg under the name Grimlord. Tyler's son Ryan was born in 1976, as he grew, he learned martial arts from his dad and Master Tao Chong at Tao Dojo. When Ryan was 8 years old, his father went missing. Ten years later, Ryan works at the Tao Dojo as a karate instructor. He befriends a photojournalist named Kaitlin Star, and a computer genius named JB Reese. The three of them are called to meet Professor Hart at his lab in the mountains, on the outskirts of Cross World City. As they along with Ryan's dog Jeb enter the secret lab, they encountered the professor's oldest creation Cybertron, an android that combines the mind and spirit of a human with the power of a robot. The professor reveals that before Tyler disappeared, he showed Hart the secret of the Cyber crystal, which is the source of Cybertron's and discovers Grimlord's empire. Ryan takes control of the crystal and becomes Cybertron and battles Grimlord's army to learn his father's fate. During his first encounter with Decimator, Ryan is injured and thrown from a cliff into a deserted quarry. Kaitlin and J.B. locate Ryan and brings him back to Professor Hart's lab and repaired him. Jeb was accidentally subjected to a power surge that gave him the ability to speak. As the series goes by, Ryan and friends get to discover the connections between Grimlord and Ziktor, much to his dismay. Dark-heart a former member of Grimlord's army is reviled to be Ryan's father. He and Cybrtron work together to defeat Grimlord (or so they thought). Tyler is ambushed by Grimlord under the disguise of Decimator (he either dies or gets hospitalized and recovers). In the final showdown, Cybertron decapitates Grimlord, and the show ends.

[@devinstyles945]

I actually met Brad when my nephew worked for him at his restaurant. My nephew didn’t understand why I marked out so much lol.

[@user-ks8kn4hx8q]

Brad Hawkins got his own restaurant?? What's the name of his restaurant?

[@alanrichardson6561]

Beetle Borgs was a similar show back then as well

[@nicknetto6069]

Awsome

[@TheHeroExodus]

Why do I remember this? Til this video i didn't remember any of this but now its back... I 100% remember this.... I thought I dreamed this lol

[@hiEste]

wake up

[@TheHeroExodus]

@@hiEste nty

[@YourManCameron]

You should make a video on Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad

[@stopmotionskywalker535]

Am I the only one who thought this was a transformers and power rangers crossover because of cybertron(the name of the transformers home planet)

[@anthonydelvridge2800]

Cybertron became something completely dufferent. It became what we know as VR, (Virtual Reality)Troooers. It had two seasons and failed.

[@KodaKola2]

Let’s get it, ESquad!

[@shoken4421]

I'm glad we got the vr troopers cast that they went with after they said no to Jason David frank:fun fact Adam steel had his name changed to Ryan steel in vr troopers and the villains name was grimlord when he transformed with a crystal ball.

[@shoken4421]

Edit:wait kids back in the day were protesting Jason David frank not being a power ranger? Like they literally wouldn't eat because he wasn't on the show? Bahaha seriously? Look I grew up watching power rangers but you were not about to convince me or my cousins that a missing character from a Friday afternoon tv show was worth us loosing the chance for pizza hut pizza and sleep overs ,that shiz was NOT HAPPENING at our house. Period . Either the parents were stupid or the kids were brain dead lol.

[@dominictrujillo3323]

I think everyone would've been thrown off seeing JDF on another program/series. Eventually the show would've started to suffer and JDF would've eventually been out of the job and the legacy of Tommy Oliver and Jason David Frank would've died/ended with the Green Ranger.

[@JimmyNotes]

I think the idea could have worked if JDF had still been Tommy in the new show. Then kids like me at the time could have followed the new show with the character we were already invested in.

[@JimmyNotes]

@Mark Guerrero Tommy coming back as the White Ranger was definitely best for business. But a shared universe between Power Rangers, VR Troopers, Masked Rider, and Beetleborgs could have been awesome.

[@marvelstarwarsfan8410]

I saw the pilot for the first time a couple of days ago and I thought it was quite interesting.

[@mooviedude141]

Does anyone know why Brad Hawkins did the voice over work for all 3 Trey of Triphoria's? I always thought that was really odd.

[@mgk22]

@Mark Guerrero i had read it was going to JDF’s brother that would be the Gold Ranger but backed out due to health concerns and thats why they went with Austin (the final episode with Tommys brother seems to clue in on this)

[@fbs10]

Now, Hasbro now own Power Rangers,maybe we getting a crossover between PR x Transformers in futures media forms likes comics or animation... Hopefully...👍👍👍

[@hiEste]

maybe one day…

[@sitisarah826]

I thought Cybertron is planet of Transformer

[@Outlawstar79]

I have seen some of that Metal Hero stuff they were using for VR Troopers, I will have to give some legit credit for the design work they had done for all of that. Space Sheriffs ? umm YES PLEASE! I would have to say if I had hero kind of like the Gold Ranger I would call him Gold-X : Interstellar Space Ninja!

[@loislindsay]

Awesome video cybertron is jdf pilot episode and vr troopers is the greatest show since mmpr tommy oliver was the best martial arts expert will you please do carranger next plz thats my request Tommy

[@Republicofbill]

This dudes got the most hair on his arms I've ever seen! 😳

[@rabbitcorp.103]

I've been counting this as one of tommy's rangers forms for years

[@tzay4306]

Day-1 Esquad is the best!

[@RavenBlaze420]

as a 40 year old man having been a child when the power rangers come out in the 90s the simple answer as to how parents got in touch with Saban they didn't they used a rotary phone and called the local tv station that aired powered rangers an like a domino effect it got to saban lol

[@bwburksiii15]

My childhood was blown up in 10 minutes 😮

[@shmikex]

It could have been a good experiment. To see Tommy ride off into the sunset after losing his powers. Returning to the city where he was before Angel Grove. Then becoming Metal Trooper (since calling him Cybertron just wouldn't work). Since he was such a fan favorite it would give him the chance to lead his own spinoff. And worst case scenario his Metal Trooper story ends quickly and he returns to Angel Grove to get whatever power up the season calls for. I never understood why Zyu2 was made to cover the rest of the second and most of the third seasons, but had to eliminate the green ranger. Ideally they could have just started using Dairanger, especially once Jason, Trini, and Zack left. You'd think new suits = new toys would be enough to cause the change.

[@RavenBlaze420]

Literally playing Power Rangers Legacy War as I watch this thumbs up

[@youngw1ze]

This became VR troopers...

[@Gahlfe123]

i remember have some vr troppers toys back in the day and now its funny that i thought it was just some fake power rangers i was gifted lol

[@madisonrocca7100]

I didn't know that VR Troopers was actually called Cybertron.

[@wannabkain4400]

I think it could have worked if he still played Tommy, but the writer who made Tommy would need to be paid and Saban hated paying people so better how it worked out. Rip JDF.

[@jefforta4989]

I think that makes a lot of sense. I saw a video from another creator that also shared that idea. He explained the plot would've fit with Tommy's character since he was an orphan and the show's plot was about Steele searcing for his dad. He also speculated about how Saban could've taken all the shows like beetleborgs, VR Troopers, MMPR and Masked Kamen Rider and basically monopolized the whole Saturaday morning/after school Fox Kids lineup by going MCU with it. I remember they tried write a story arch about Tommy's family and past in Zeo, with the introduction of Sam Truehart and Tommy's brother David, but still never revealed who Tommy Oliver's parents were.

[@jefferybyerly1762]

That’s the VR Troopers

[@mattmanjgigs1229]

alpha omega would be my name

[@xaviermcfield]

VR trooper highkey should b remade in todays world. Especially that technology is literally a pressed button away from destroying society would hit way harder now.

[@user-ks8kn4hx8q]

Ryan Steele can be a Power Ranger in the comics. He can join the Omega Rangers in the comics. He can be the White Omega Ranger with the power of light. Drew, Roland, and Jo from the Beetleborgs can join the Omega Ranger team as well. Drew can be the next Blue Omega Ranger if anything happen to Yale. Roland can be the Green Omega Ranger. Jo can be the Purple Ranger. What you think?

[@dumblolland7079]

VR Troopers reminds me of the time my friend called them "getoh Power Rangers" in a text message

[@kimble90126]

Wow

[@rabbitcorp.103]

The fact that "kids aren't going to school" like the kids r raising the parents 😒

[@sageoffire3964]

I love the Cybertron games.

[@easyparts-fj7mm]

Optimus: "wait this ain't my home planet".

[@TheMixedBreed1984]

Hold up was that Jamie Kennedy holding the camera?

[@ASQUADYT]

Tommy Oliver 💗

[@sageoffire3964]

Anyone else play those?

[@kiribalor7510]

Also the caritor that gave adume his paooers he is now a sid caritor.

[@dionneking8]

Tommy was it's sex symbol

[@hiEste]

WHAT 😭

[@chrxsxto]

bro what 💀

[@landonsantini365]

Do you mean he was the show's sex symbol? You could arguably say that for all six of the original rangers. Even David Yost had a body that most male models would be jealous over.

[@dionneking8]

@@hiEste the entire cast were beautiful but Tommy and kimberly as well were it's hottest and most cherished

[@dionneking8]

@@landonsantini365 he glow3d up in season 2 Tommy been that dude Kim been that girl

[@AR-xd3dp]

I think they went with the name Cybertron because of the concept of cybernetic beings

[@budsutton7343]

If I had a superhero name it would be Maxx Steel

[@johnnymarrero8011]

Glad Pokemon Snap is number 1 but someone else should host top 10 like Garrett or Cody

[@mikemcmillan3213]

What about that episode power rangers fought them on the moon?

[@tjgray485]

The vr troupers though

[@lighteningwilsonofficial]

Cybotran becomes vr troopers

[@JCLopez209]

So basically JDF went to Power Rangers, then got cast to what eventually would be VR Troopers. Imagine if they never brought back Tommy and he stayed on Cybertron and that gets renamed to VR Troopers with Jason David Frank. That's a What If moment right there

[@seanbraley2772]

in all honesty he lucked out if he had stayed he would have been just as liked but the show wouldent have fgone as long as power rangers the red blue armor was a solo hero in that season of that show it had a much shorter run becouse amro heros dont get upgrades half way through like kamen riders do or not senti teams its why they hadd Ryans freands so they could use shots from the next seasonj to make it last longer

[@JCLopez209]

@@seanbraley2772 true. But what I'm saying is man imagine if he did stay.

[@seanbraley2772]

@@JCLopez209 again would have have been canceled in the frist session not because he couldn't act but because almost all the armor heroes work in teams it be hard to wright in a partner or two who fight as well as him at the start its why "tommy" fought Jason in his first ep to show you he had the same or better fighting skills then the rangers and then he wouldn't have been able to go back to power rangers

[@realidaddarkpainter3.046]

Strongest special rangers? Wolf Warrior, Shadow Ranger or Sentinel Knight?

[@gustavoalmanza2673]

El Cucuy would be my superhero name

[@TdScott342]

Wait am I not just watching VR Troopers?

[@OrangeSheep14]

Is that one episode from beast Morphers metal hero? The chaku guy

[@CuffAnimationStudios]

he was the very first metal hero Gavin. actually the second Gavin from the next generation movies technically as part of the 30th anniversary metal hero revival as that series ended prior to 2000 due to the heroes kept getting too childish after B-fighter Kabuto.

[@kiribalor7510]

And there is now a zorde on looking caritor as well.

[@robertspry2900]

They did called vr troopers

[@RedeemedRogueMolecules]

There was a vr trooper video game

[@ExodusToxicWaltz]

I was one of those kids who protested haha

[@Reelshortvidz]

Cybertron is VR Trooper

[@seanturner1831]

what if jason got tommy's candle

[@Zay320]

I actually watched that show on Netflix

[@Koolkidsprinter]

E squad should get their own TV show

[@jjsshenanegans]

They actually made a full show about that but with a different actor I think

[@ElbertTreble]

The Alligator ranger would be my superhero name!!!

[@mrmotown313]

If I had my own superhero name, I would be known as ManBorg. I would be a regular human being, but I would have a hi-tech prototype computer chip implanted in my brain and I would have the super powers and abilities of a cyborg. I know it doesn’t really make a whole Lotta sense, but that is what I had came up with in my creative mind.

[@moenna1986]

Looks like vr troopers

[@blackphoenix77]

My superhero name would be Astro Man *E-Squad Forever!*

[@christinatheostav]

Tiger ninja my own superhero

[@lonniecfireillbemayorsomeday]

VR Troopers where's my show I liked it just as much Power Rangers I think I even prefer it more because of the dog

[@TrenZe]

VR Trooper

[@jayduffy5532]

Aren't the suits similar to the vr troopers atleast they remind me of them I watched both power rangers and vr troopers beetleborgs religiously well power rangers more so then the other two cause they were on after school also on Saturdays

[@Thel3goanimationhub]

Esquad forever

[@bigstinger2581]

The Crazy One

[@cashdollar215]

Wasn’t the spin off character from VR TROOPERS????