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First look at Rita Repulsa’s radical makeover for the ‘Power Rangers’ reboot

Elizabeth Banks has been cast to play Rita Repulsa in the latest "Power Rangers" movie.

Elizabeth Banks has been cast to play Rita Repulsa in the latest “Power Rangers” movie.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
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Rita Repulsa has done some serious morphin’.

Lionsgate’s “Power Rangers” reboot won’t hit theaters for nearly a year, but fans of the 1990s Saturday-morning TV staple can now catch an early glimpse of Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa -- and if they do, they’ll see the evil humanoid witch has been given a major makeover.

Gone is the elaborate headdress and oversized staff in favor of a sleeker, more alien and more, let’s say, adult look.

“It’s definitely a modern and edgy reimagining of the original Rita Repulsa,” Banks told People, which offered the first look at the character.

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Nostalgic fans quickly took to Twitter to weigh in on Repulsa’s reimagining, with many clearly feeling the change is too radical.

But the new Repulsa did get a strong vote of confidence from at least one unexpected quarter.

“Hey! @ElizabethBanks I wanna be your minion!” tweeted William Shatner.

Twitter: @joshrottenberg

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