| Legend of the White Dragon | |
| Director: | Aaron Schoenke |
| Cinematography: | Aric Abraham |
| Music: | Sean Schoenke |
| Studio: | Bat in the Sun Productions |
| Distributor: | Falling Forward Films |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | $508,578 |
Legend of the White Dragon is an upcoming American science-fiction superhero film directed by Aaron Schoenke and was crowdfunded through Kickstarter.[1] It reunites Power Rangers actors Jason David Frank (in his final role before his death), Jason Faunt, Cerina Vincent and Ciara Hanna. It also stars Schoenke, Mayling Ng, David Ramsey, Andrew Bachelor, Mark Dacascos, and Michael Madsen.
In the film, three years after a tragic battle, Erik Reed (Frank) returns to his city to protect his wife and daughter from a new threat. The film is described as a "mature take on the Power Rangers franchise" and introduces a new universe.
After three years of forced hiding as a fugitive, former superhero, Erik Reed returns to the city he swore to protect. His goal: to clear his name and reunite with the family he keeps secret.
Only one thing stands in his way: the mysterious Dragon Prime, who will stop at nothing to enact his revenge on the White Dragon.
Additionally, Ciara Hanna plays Vanessa, a character who was said to be significant to a certain character's story. Lenore Zann will also appear in an unspecified role.
Bat in The Sun is an independent production studio based in Los Angeles, California. Co-founded and co-owned by Aaron Schoenke and his father, Sean Schoenke, the studio gained notoriety in 2010 with the release of their Batman fan film, City of Scars and their web series Super Powered Beat Down.
In 2013, Schoenke met Jason David Frank when he appeared on Super Powered Beat Down. Over the next few years, Frank and Schoenke started early discussions for a new project, which would become Legend of the White Dragon.
Saban Brands worked with Bat in the Sun on a professional capacity, when they produced a live action advertisement for the addition of Street Fighter content to the mobile game in 2018.
On July 18, 2019, a Kickstarter campaign was launched, hoping to find production for the film. With a goal of $500,000, Johnny Yong Bosch, Jason Faunt and Ciara Hanna had signed on, along with Jason's daughter, Jenna Rae Frank. Unfortunately, the campaign ended on August 18, 2019, unsuccessful in reaching its goal.
A second campaign began on March 20,2020 and lasted for 60 days, this time with a budget for a $100,000 mini-series, but offered a new stretch goal of $500,000 for a feature film. The initial goal was met in 11 days, and the campaign ended on May 27, 2020 with $508,578 raised, meeting the goal for a feature film. Due to scheduling conflicts, Bosch left the project.
Near the end of the campaign, the main cast was announced. Jason Faunt, Ciara Hanna and Jenna Frank remained from the original cast, joined by Rachele Brooke Smith and Andrew Bachelor. Throughout production, several more cast members were announced, including Mayling Ng, Mark Dacascos and Michael Madsen. Production began in May 2021 in Los Angeles, lasting for 42 days.
In December 2021, David Ramsey and Cerina Vincent were announced as cast members in the film.
In July 2023, the production was granted a waiver, allowing the cast to participate in additional photography through the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[2]
The film was originally scheduled to be released in 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] In March 2023, the film's new release date was set on September 4, 2023.[4] However, in July the film was delayed to the first quarter of 2024.[5] [6] The film was originally scheduled to be released in limited theaters on September 4, 2024, but that release has since been removed.[7]