Ryan Steele: The VR Trooper Who Could Have Been A Power Ranger

Have you ever wondered about the almost-Power Ranger? Let's dive into the story of Ryan Steele, a name that might ring a bell for fans of 90s superhero shows. While he's best known as the main hero from VR Troopers, many don't realize how close he was to morphing into a Power Ranger. This article explores Ryan Steele's journey, his connection to the Power Rangers universe, and why he ultimately became a VR Trooper instead.

The Early Days: Metalder and Spielban

Before we get into the Power Rangers connection, it's important to understand the origins of Ryan Steele's character. See, back in the early 90s, before Saban Entertainment struck gold with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, they were experimenting with adapting Japanese tokusatsu shows. Tokusatsu, for those not in the know, is basically live-action Japanese entertainment that's heavy on special effects. Saban's initial plan involved using footage from two different tokusatsu series: Metalder and Spielban. The idea was to create a brand-new show that combined elements from both.

The Metalder footage would have been used for the action sequences where the heroes were in their armored forms. Metalder itself was a pretty cool show, featuring a robot warrior created by a scientist during World War II to fight the Nazi army. The robot, named Metalder, is awakened decades later to combat a new threat. The Spielban footage, on the other hand, would have been used for the scenes where the characters were out of costume, you know, just being regular people. Spielban told the story of two siblings who are descendants of an ancient civilization and are tasked with protecting Earth from an evil alien empire. Imagine the writers trying to merge these two stories into a single, coherent narrative! It sounds like a recipe for some serious behind-the-scenes headaches.

Ryan Steele was initially conceived as the main character for this Metalder/Spielban hybrid. He was meant to be the bridge connecting the two worlds, the guy who could transform into the awesome Metalder armor. However, as production progressed, Saban realized that meshing these two shows together was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. The tones were different, the storylines didn't quite align, and the whole thing felt a bit… well, disjointed. They needed a new direction, and fast.

The Power Rangers Pivot

So, here's where the Power Rangers come into the picture. While Saban was struggling to make the Metalder/Spielban concept work, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers premiered and became a massive hit. Suddenly, tokusatsu adaptations were the hottest thing in town, and Saban saw an opportunity to capitalize on this trend. Instead of trying to force Metalder and Spielban together, they decided to go all-in on the Power Rangers formula.

The initial plan was to incorporate the Metalder footage into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 2. Ryan Steele would have been introduced as a new Ranger, possibly the Gold Ranger or some other similarly cool designation. Imagine Ryan joining Tommy, Kimberly, and the rest of the gang, fighting Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd alongside the original team! It would have been a major shake-up to the established dynamic, and fans would have gone wild trying to figure out his backstory and powers.

However, there was a problem. The Metalder footage, while awesome, didn't quite fit the aesthetic of Power Rangers. The designs were different, the fight choreography was distinct, and the overall feel was just… off. It would have been jarring to suddenly introduce a character with a completely different visual style into the established Power Rangers universe. Saban realized that they needed to find a way to integrate the Metalder footage more seamlessly, or else scrap the idea altogether.

The Birth of VR Troopers

Ultimately, Saban decided to take a different route. Instead of shoehorning Ryan Steele and the Metalder footage into Power Rangers, they decided to create a brand new show: VR Troopers. This allowed them to use not only Metalder footage but also footage from another tokusatsu series called Spielban (yes, the same one they initially tried to combine with Metalder). By creating a separate show, they had the freedom to craft their own mythology, develop their own characters, and establish their own visual style, while still leveraging the action-packed fight scenes from the Japanese footage.

VR Troopers premiered in 1994 and starred Brad Hawkins as Ryan Steele. The show followed Ryan and his two best friends, Kaitlin Star and J.B. Reese, as they battled Grimlord, a virtual reality villain who wanted to escape into the real world. The trio could transform into VR Troopers, using virtual reality technology to access different fighting styles and weapons. Ryan, of course, primarily used the Metalder armor in his VR Trooper form.

VR Troopers was a moderate success, lasting for two seasons. While it never reached the heights of Power Rangers, it carved out its own niche in the world of 90s kids' entertainment. It was unique because the show could mix and match elements from Metalder and Spielban. It also had a darker, more serious tone than Power Rangers, which appealed to some viewers. The show's popularity also paved the way for other tokusatsu adaptations in the West.

Ryan Steele: A Legacy of What Could Have Been

So, what's the legacy of Ryan Steele? He's a fascinating figure in the history of tokusatsu adaptations. He represents a road not taken, a glimpse into what Power Rangers might have looked like if Saban had decided to go in a different direction. While he never officially became a Power Ranger, his character played a crucial role in expanding the tokusatsu universe in the West.

Ryan Steele's journey from Metalder/Spielban hybrid to almost-Power Ranger to VR Trooper is a testament to the creative process and the ever-changing landscape of television production. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best ideas come from unexpected places, and that even when things don't go according to plan, they can still lead to something great. Whether you remember him as a VR Trooper or simply as a name from the past, Ryan Steele's impact on the world of superhero entertainment is undeniable. So next time you're watching an old episode of VR Troopers, remember the almost-Power Ranger, the hero who could have been, and appreciate the unique legacy he left behind.

Would you guys have liked to see Ryan Steele as a Power Ranger? What do you think? Do you believe he would have improved the show, or do you think his unique style would have felt out of place? Let's discuss!