Rocky DeSantos

Lore & Background

Rocky DeSantos is the second Mighty Morphin Red Ranger and the Blue Zeo Ranger. In the fan short film *Power/Rangers* (which is not part of official Power Rangers canon), set years after the Machine Empire defeats the Power Rangers and destroys the Megazord, Rocky has defected to the Machine Empire. He is cynical and critical of Zordon's use of the Power Rangers as child soldiers, and now sports a prosthetic leg. While interrogating a restrained Kimberly Hart about the location of Tommy Oliver, he details the fates of the other Rangers in flashback: Jason Lee Scott was gunned down after marrying Kimberly; Zack Taylor became a Machine Empire enforcer before being murdered; Billy Cranston died of an apparent suicide; and Trini Kwan died during treaty negotiations. Rocky acknowledges he already knew Trini died. He is held as bait to lure out Tommy. When Tommy arrives and fights Rocky in a sword duel, Rocky gains the upper hand, but Kimberly shoots and kills him. It is then revealed that the real Kimberly died during the final battle years earlier, and the fake Kimberly is Rita Repulsa, who killed all the others. None of these events occur in official Power Rangers media.

In Their Own Story

The morphing grid hummed around Rocky's hands as he adjusted his helmet. The Angel Grove sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, mirroring the energy crackling on his red armor. A new threat approached, but today, it was not about the fight alone; it was about who he would be when the dust settled. With a deep breath, he activated his communicator, ready to lead.

Reader's Guide

Rocky DeSantos serves as the primary Red Ranger during the Zeo and Turbo eras, bringing a fresh energy to Angel Grove High after the departure of his predecessor. He debuted as the Red Zeo Ranger, utilizing the Zeonizer to access elemental powers before transitioning into the Red Turbo Ranger suit, where he wielded the Turbo Charger. Personality-wise, Rocky is defined by his unwavering loyalty and natural athletic ability, often acting as the emotional anchor for his teammates during high-stress battles. Unlike previous Red Rangers who struggled with leadership burdens immediately, Rocky embraced responsibility quickly while maintaining a laid-back demeanor off-duty. Later in his career, he transitioned from active field duty to becoming a Ranger Instructor at the SPD Academy, training new recruits in martial arts and combat tactics. His journey represents the passing of the torch within the franchise, showing how heroes evolve from frontline warriors into mentors who preserve the legacy for future generations without losing their connection to the fight against evil.

Did You Know?

• Rocky DeSantos is portrayed by James Van Der Beek, who also co-wrote the fan short film with Joseph Kahn and Dutch Southern.
• In the fan film *Power/Rangers*, Rocky DeSantos has defected to the Machine Empire and sports a prosthetic leg—this is not part of official Power Rangers canon.
• Rocky DeSantos is the second Mighty Morphin Red Ranger and the Blue Zeo Ranger in the official series, but the events of the fan film are entirely separate.
• Rocky is killed by Kimberly Hart, who is later revealed to be Rita Repulsa in disguise, in the fan film only.
• The fan short film was released on YouTube and Vimeo on February 23, 2015, and is not endorsed by or connected to the official Power Rangers franchise.

Rocky DeSantos' Dark Transformation

In this grim reimagining, Rocky DeSantos undergoes a profound psychological shift from hero to antagonist. Years after the Machine Empire dismantles the original team and destroys the Megazord, Rocky defects to the enemy forces. No longer the optimistic Red Ranger or Blue Zeo Ranger, he becomes a cynical operative who views Zordon's leadership as exploitative, accusing the mentor of utilizing children as soldiers. His physical transformation is marked by a prosthetic leg, symbolizing the lasting scars of his past battles. In this timeline, Rocky serves as an interrogator for the Machine Empire, tasked with extracting information from captured allies about Tommy Oliver's whereabouts. His worldview has hardened completely; he believes the Rangers are obsolete and that their continued existence only invites further tragedy. This version of Rocky represents a tragic fall, driven by disillusionment with the system he once served, ultimately positioning himself as a primary obstacle to his former teammates in a world where peace was bought at the cost of their identities.

The Fate of the Original Team

The narrative details devastating outcomes for the original Power Rangers, serving as a grim backdrop to Rocky's defection. Jason Lee Scott is gunned down shortly after marrying Kimberly, an event precipitated by Bulk and Skull revealing his location before dying from drug-related causes. Zack Taylor descends into a life of violence as a Machine Empire enforcer before being murdered by an unknown assassin. Billy Cranston achieves immense wealth but ends his life in suicide, while Trini Kwan perishes during the treaty negotiations that ended the war. These tragic fates are presented through Rocky's interrogation of Kimberly, highlighting how quickly their heroic legacies crumbled into despair and death. The story suggests a world where the trauma of their service led to self-destruction or violent ends, stripping away the hopeful endings typical of the franchise. Each Ranger's demise underscores the film's central theme: that the cost of being a hero in this reality is total annihilation, leaving only Tommy and a manipulated Kimberly standing against the darkness.

Meta-Commentary on Real-Life Tragedies

The short film weaves real-life events involving the original actors into its fictional narrative to add layers of poignancy. Billy Cranston's storyline mirrors David Yost's experience, reflecting his coming out as gay, the bullying he faced from producers, and his subsequent struggles with depression. The death of Trini Kwan in the plot directly references the 2001 automobile accident that killed actress Thuy Trang. Furthermore, Tommy Oliver's absence at her funeral in the film parallels Jason David Frank's real-life inability to attend due to burying his own brother at the same time. These incorporations transform the fictional tragedy into a poignant tribute and critique of the industry's treatment of its stars. By blending these biographical facts with the story, the film acknowledges the pain behind the mask, suggesting that the characters' fates are inextricably linked to the real-world struggles of the actors who brought them to life.

Production Controversy and Legacy

The creation and release of this fan film were marked by significant legal battles and mixed reactions from the original cast. Directed by Joseph Kahn and produced by Adi Shankar, the project was initially celebrated as a bold, adult-oriented take on the franchise before being removed from Vimeo and YouTube due to copyright claims by Saban. Despite the takedown, it was quickly restored after public outcry, highlighting the tension between fan creativity and corporate ownership. Reactions were polarized; while actors like Austin St. John praised the vision, Jason David Frank criticized its excessive violence, though he admitted an appreciation for its 'geek' appeal. The film's brief existence sparked discussions about a potential television series, with Shankar announcing plans for a dark reimagining in 2017. Ultimately, Power/Rangers stands as a controversial but influential piece of fan history that challenged the boundaries of the franchise and questioned the legacy of its heroes.

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