Power Rangers Screenwriter Arne Olsen Passes Away at 64
Arne Olsen, the screenwriter of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, a film that holds a special place in the hearts of every fan who spent their childhood in the 90s, has passed away at the age of 64. It was announced that Olsen passed away on April 4, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada, due to complications from cancer. The news of his passing was confirmed by his wife, Dianne Olsen, and quickly caused great sadness throughout the entire Power Rangers community.
Arne Olsen was best known for writing the screenplay for the first major production that brought the "Power Rangers craze," which took the world by storm at the time, to the big screen in 1995. Shot on a budget of approximately $15 million and grossing over $66 million worldwide, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie took place in an alternative universe independent of the television series. Inspired by Japan's Super Sentai series (Zyuranger, Dairanger, and Kakuranger) but prepared as a completely Western production, this film introduced iconic villains like Ivan Ooze into our lives.
Olsen's career was not limited to action-packed superhero stories. The writer, who moved from Vancouver to Los Angeles at the age of 21 and graduated from the American Film Institute (AFI), also worked on projects such as the beloved 1996 animated film All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 and Cop and a Half, starring Burt Reynolds. Later in his career, he mentored a new generation of screenwriters by teaching at Capilano University and the Vancouver Film School. Olsen was described by his colleagues as a versatile artist who could masterfully transition between genres and write in any field from action to drama.
This loss holds great significance for fans who value the roots of the Power Rangers universe. Olsen was one of the architects of the vision that allowed us to see our childhood heroes on the big screen for the first time in a higher-budget and more spectacular way. The narrative structure he created formed one of the cornerstones of the series' enduring popularity today. Arne Olsen left behind not only successful films but also a legacy that fueled the imaginations of thousands of young people. We will always remember him as one of the creative forces behind that famous "Morphin Time!" cry.
