Rachele Brooke Smith stars in the upcoming Legend of the White Dragon along with Jason David Frank, Jason Faunt, and other Power Ranger alumni. The independent superhero film was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter by Bat in the Sun Productions (Aaron Schoenke) and has its theatrical release on a very special day: August 28, 2026, aka National Power Rangers Day. While it is a darker, R-rated film that is set in its own universe, Power Rangers fans are excited and emotional to see the final performance from the incredible man who played the beloved Tommy Oliver for a quarter of a century.
Accomplished actress Rachele Brooke Smith was kind enough to offer the most extensive, in-depth interview we’ve ever done at Entertaining Options. Rachele talks about everything from landing the role of a lifetime to the challenges the cast and crew faced bringing this movie to life. She also talks about what it was like to work with Jason David Frank and the profound impact he made on her life.
This spoiler-free interview will give you a deeper understanding of the upcoming film and the amazing people who made it happen.
Who is Rachele Brooke Smith?
Can you tell us how you got to where you are now in your professional life?
It’s funny because if you had asked ten-year-old me where I’d end up, she would’ve had a massive freakout… in the best way.
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, with absolutely no connection to the entertainment industry. No family in Hollywood. No inside track. Just a little girl with a really big imagination. One day when I was about 14, my family took me to see Center Stage in the theater, and I can still remember exactly how it made me feel. I wasn’t just watching a movie; I was having one of those rare moments where something deep inside you wakes up. I sat in that dark theater by myself, long after the credits rolled, never wanting to leave, and feeling completely changed. I cried. I prayed. I remember thinking, I don’t know how, but somehow, someway, I want to do that. I want to make people feel the way this movie just made me feel.
That moment completely changed the trajectory of my life. I became obsessed with dancing, acting, and storytelling. I watched Center Stage over and over again. When I eventually moved to Los Angeles at 18 by myself chasing my dream, every time I felt lonely, homesick, discouraged, or wondered if I should give up, I’d put that movie on again. It reminded me why I started.
I also became fascinated by mindset at a really young age. I started reading everything I could find about psychology, personal growth, visualization, faith, and what some people call manifestation. Whether someone believes in those ideas or not, what they taught me was to keep my focus on the life I wanted to create instead of the fear telling me why it couldn’t happen. So I made vision boards with Center Stage on them. I wrote in my journal over and over, “I’m going to be in a movie like Center Stage someday.” Looking back now, it probably sounds a little crazy.
The funny part is, I never even imagined they’d make a sequel. Years later, after countless auditions, more rejections than I could possibly count, and a lot of moments where quitting would’ve been easier, I got the call that I’d booked the lead role in Center Stage: Turn It Up. I still get emotional thinking about it. Not just because it meant I’d booked a movie, but because it felt like that little girl sitting in a movie theater in Phoenix was somehow being reminded that impossible dreams really can come true. That experience changed the way I looked at life forever. (You can watch “my crazy story video” of this on my website.)
Since then, I’ve noticed similar patterns throughout my career. I grew up loving Bring It On and later had the opportunity to lead Bring It On: Fight to the Finish. I was obsessed with Power Rangers as a kid and even got incredibly close to being cast as the Pink Ranger. I didn’t get it, and I was devastated at the time. But years later, life came full circle in a way I never could have planned when I found myself playing Iris Maine opposite some of the very heroes I grew up watching in Legend of the White Dragon.
Those experiences have taught me something I carry with me every day: Sometimes the dream you lose is making room for one that’s even more aligned with who you’re meant to become.
Today, acting is still one of the greatest joys of my life, but it’s become part of something much bigger. Whether I’m making films, speaking, creating content, or building Hero Within [a personal growth community], my mission is the same. I want to tell stories that help people believe in themselves again. I want people to know they’re not alone. And I want to remind them that the impossible becomes a whole lot more possible when you refuse to stop showing up.
What’s the one thing we need to know about you to learn who you are?
If there is one thing I’d want people to know about me, it’s this: I genuinely believe great movies and stories can change lives. Mine certainly did. That’s why I’ve always loved acting so much. It’s never just been about being on a movie set or playing different characters. It’s about creating moments where someone watching feels seen, encouraged, inspired, or maybe even leaves believing something new is possible for their own life.
When I look back, the moments that shaped me weren’t just the movies I watched; they were the people who believed in me when I was struggling to believe in myself. My family, friends, and mentors have done this a lot for me. Jason David Frank also helped me a lot with this. And now I hope I can do that for other people.
Everything I do — whether it’s acting, speaking, social media, Relationship Renegades, or my Hero Within community — is really driven by one question: How can I help someone walk away believing in themselves just a little bit more than they did before?
I’ve learned something really beautiful over the years: the stories we tell ourselves shape the lives we create. If I can help someone rewrite the story, that’s been keeping them stuck… if I can help them remember who they really are underneath the fear, the doubt, or the heartbreak… then I feel like I’m doing exactly what I was put here to do.
Were you a Power Rangers fan growing up?
Absolutely! I was a huge Power Rangers fan. Like so many kids in the ‘90s, I was completely captivated by that world. I dreamed of being the Pink Ranger. In fact, years later, I actually auditioned for the role and made it incredibly far in the process. By the end, it was down to just a handful of us, and if I’m being honest, I really thought I had it.
When I found out I didn’t get the role, I was heartbroken. At the time, it felt like one of my dreams had slipped through my fingers. But over the years, one of my favorite reminders has become this: What’s meant for you won’t pass you. That disappointment ended up preparing me for something I never could have imagined.
Years later, I found myself stepping onto the set of Legend of the White Dragon, starring opposite Jason David Frank, and so many of the heroes I grew up watching. It felt like life had written a better story than the one I’d originally planned. And the best part wasn’t just getting to work with them. It was getting to know the incredible human beings behind the helmets. JDF, [Jason] Faunt, and Aaron [Schoenke] have all become like big brothers to me. And those friendships have all ended up becoming some of the greatest gifts of my career… and my life.
Rachele Brooke Smith on Playing Iris Maine
What can you tell us about your role in Legend of the White Dragon? Who is Iris Maine?
I absolutely fell in love with Iris. On the surface, she’s strong, capable, courageous, and one of the leaders of the rebellion. She’s an incredible sniper and fighter, and someone who isn’t afraid to put herself on the line for the people she loves.
But what drew me to her wasn’t her strength. It was her heart. Iris believes in people, even when they’ve stopped believing in themselves.
How is she connected to Erik Reed (Jason David Frank)?
She’s Erik Reed’s partner, best friend, and one of his greatest allies. As Erik carries the weight of everything he’s been through, Iris becomes someone who continually reminds him of who he really is. She doesn’t ignore his pain, and she doesn’t try to fix him. She simply refuses to stop believing in him, even during the moments when he struggles to see his own worth. To me, that’s one of the most heroic things a person can do. She reminds us that sometimes believing in someone else is exactly what helps them find their way back to believing in themselves.
She also has a really fun dynamic with Connor, played by Jason Faunt. They’re partners, but there’s definitely some history there that creates some tension, which made those scenes a lot of fun to play. I think audiences are going to love Iris because she’s strong without losing her compassion. She’s fierce, but she’s deeply human. That’s the kind of hero I’ve always wanted to play. “She believed she could… so she did.”
What can you tell us about Legend of the White Dragon?
One of my favorite things about this movie is that it’s so much more than a superhero film. Yes, there are incredible action sequences, amazing fight choreography, awesome costumes, and all the things fans hope for when they walk into a movie like this. But underneath all of that is a story about being human. It’s about grief. It’s about identity. It’s about friendship, redemption, hope, and learning how to keep moving forward after life completely changes.
What makes this movie especially meaningful now is its message. We’ve all heard the phrase, “Even superheroes need help too.” I truly believe that’s one of the most important messages our world needs right now. So many people are silently carrying heavy things. We live in a culture where people often feel like they have to have it all together, and this movie reminds us that asking for help isn’t weakness; it’s courage. If people leave the theater feeling entertained, inspired, and just a little less alone than when they walked in, I’ll feel like we accomplished something really meaningful.
How did you get the role? Was it a long process with multiple callbacks? Or were you perfect from the start?
(Laughs.) I definitely wasn’t “perfect from the start.” I’d known Aaron Schoenke and supported Bat in the Sun Productions for many years, and we’d talked for a long time about finding the right project to work on together. When Aaron told me about Legend of the White Dragon and described Iris, something immediately clicked. I remember thinking, “This is exactly the kind of character I’ve always wanted to play.” She wasn’t just physically strong. She represented something I deeply believe in… that one person’s belief in another person can completely change the course of their life.
Then, of course, there was the fact that I grew up absolutely obsessed with Power Rangers. The little girl in me could hardly believe I was even being considered to work alongside some of the very people I grew up watching.
After I was cast, Jason David Frank and I did an Instagram Live together to announce my role. It was supposed to last maybe fifteen or twenty minutes. Instead, we talked for hours. What started as a simple announcement turned into one of the deepest conversations I’ve ever had with someone I’d just met. It honestly felt like we’d known each other forever. We realized we cared about so many of the same things: mental health, personal growth, helping people believe in themselves, and using storytelling to make a positive impact. From that day forward, our friendship just grew and grew. That Live ended up changing my life in ways I never could have imagined.
Why did you want this role? What made you so passionate about it?
There were honestly so many reasons. The little girl in me was absolutely freaking out because I was getting the opportunity to be part of a world that meant so much to my childhood. But beyond that, I felt like Iris represented my own mission in life. I’ve always been fascinated by the incredible impact one person can have simply by believing in someone else.
I know what it’s like to have people tell you your dreams are unrealistic. I also know what it feels like to have someone come alongside you and say, “I believe in you.” Those moments change people. That’s exactly what Iris does for Erik. She reminds him of who he is when he’s forgotten. That’s what I hope to do for people in real life too. Whether it’s through a movie, a conversation, social media, or someday through Hero Within, I hope people leave feeling a little more hopeful, a little more courageous, and a little more connected to the hero that’s already inside them.
Was taking on this role intimidating, or was it something you were eager to do?
Definitely both. I was incredibly excited because this felt like such a dream role. At the same time, there were absolutely moments where I thought, “Okay, don’t mess this up. You’re stepping into a beloved universe with actors that people have admired for decades.”
But something really beautiful happened almost immediately. Jason David Frank, Jason Faunt, Aaron, and the entire cast were so welcoming. It felt like joining a family. JDF, especially, had this incredible gift of making people feel seen. There were days I’d be overthinking a scene or putting pressure on myself, and somehow he’d always know. He’d come over, give me one of his giant hugs, tell me I was doing great, remind me that he believed in me, and suddenly everything felt lighter. That’s who he was. He didn’t just play superheroes; he made the people around him feel stronger.
Remembering and Honoring Jason David Frank
Can you talk a little more about what Jason David Frank was like?
Jason was one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever known. We instantly bonded over our shared passion for mental health, personal growth, and wanting to use storytelling to help people know they’re not alone. From that day on, he treated me like family. He called me “little sis,” and before long, JDF, Jason Faunt, and I had become this little trio on set.
What do you remember most about him?
What I’ll remember most is how he made people feel. There were days I started to doubt myself, and somehow he’d always know. He’d either send me one of his famous empowering audio messages, or he’d come over, give me one of his giant hugs, tell me he believed in me, and remind me that I belonged there.
That was JDF. He made people feel seen.
One of my biggest regrets is that years ago I had my phone set to automatically delete voice messages after thirty days. I lost every message he ever sent me, and I’d give anything to hear his voice one more time.
Now, whenever I’m facing something difficult, I often find myself asking, “What would JDF tell me right now?” I hope I can honor him by continuing the mission we talked about so often: to help people believe in themselves, remind them they’re never alone, and encourage them to ask for help when they need it. Because even superheroes need help too.
I interviewed Jason several years ago. He was a phenomenal human being. His energy was infectious, and he made me feel better just by being around him. You remind me of him in that same way. Did working with him change you?
First of all, thank you. That means more than I can say. The biggest thing Jason taught me wasn’t about acting. It was about people. He showed me that no matter how successful you become, you never outgrow the opportunity to encourage someone else. He celebrated people. He believed in people. He made everyone around him feel like they mattered. I’ve carried that lesson with me ever since. He also gave me the courage to be more open about my own journey. We had so many conversations about mental health and using our platforms to help people feel less alone. That’s a mission I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
Behind the Scenes: The Challenges of Making ‘Legend of the White Dragon’
Did you run into any personal challenges on set? If so, how did you overcome them?
Honestly, being on a movie set gives me more energy than anything else. It still amazes me how I can work incredibly long days and somehow leave exhausted but also feeling even more alive at the same time. That said, this film definitely had its challenges. We were shooting during COVID, so there were constant safety protocols, regular testing, and the pressure of knowing one positive test could impact production. On top of that, we were filming in the middle of a hot Los Angeles summer wearing heavy superhero suits that looked much more comfortable than they actually were!
One night during an action scene, something wasn’t quite right with the lights inside my helmet, and they were shining directly into my eyes. We tried to fix it, but eventually we had to shoot, so I ended up doing most of the scene barely able to see. Looking back, I laugh about it now. But in that moment I just remember thinking, “You can do this. This is the kind of stuff you trained for.” That experience reminded me that confidence isn’t about everything going perfectly. It’s about trusting the work you’ve put in, even when things don’t go as planned.
Were there any bigger challenges that almost kept this movie from being completed?
Absolutely. Making an independent superhero film is challenging under the best of circumstances. Making one during COVID brought a whole new level of obstacles, from financing and scheduling to production delays. Then, after principal photography wrapped, Jason passed away. And it was incredibly hard for everyone involved.
On top of all of us grieving a major loss, like every film, there were still rewrites and additional photography to do, and a ton of post production. But after his passing, everyone felt an even greater responsibility to make this movie the best it could possibly be. It became more than finishing a film; it became about honoring JDF.
I know some fans have wondered why it took so long, but from the inside, I saw a team that refused to rush something this meaningful. Aaron Schoenke, Chris [Jay], Bat in the Sun, and everyone involved poured years of love into making sure this story honored Jason in the best way possible. I truly hope audiences feel that when they watch it.
Is there a behind-the-scenes moment you’ll never forget?
There are so many, but one stands out. At the end of almost every filming day, JDF would gather the entire cast and crew together before we wrapped. He’d thank every department, celebrate everyone’s hard work, and remind us what an incredible team we had become. It made every single person feel valued. That simple tradition created such a beautiful family atmosphere, and it’s something I’ll carry onto every project I produce for the rest of my career.
What was the most surprising thing you learned while making this movie?
How much heart goes into independent filmmaking. People see the finished movie, but they don’t always see the years of sacrifice, the setbacks, or the people pouring everything they have into bringing a story to life. It gave me an even deeper appreciation for every single person whose name rolls through those end credits.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
People are usually surprised to learn how much I love studying psychology, neuroscience, personal growth, and human behavior. I’m fascinated by why we think the way we do and how our beliefs shape our lives. Honestly, it’s one of the reasons I love acting so much. Every character is an opportunity to better understand what it means to be human.
Is there anything you wish I would’ve asked?
Maybe I’d ask, “How has making this movie changed the direction of your life?” Because the truth is, Legend of the White Dragon didn’t just become another film on my résumé. It became a catalyst for so much of what I’m building today. Working alongside JDF, having so many conversations about mental health, and seeing how deeply stories can impact people made me realize I don’t want the conversation to end when the credits roll. That’s why I’m building “Hero Within” membership and community to help people become the hero of their own story. And that’s why my husband, Emilio Palafox, and I created Relationship Renegades — because we want to give healthy, playful, hope-filled love a bigger stage.
So much of the media we consume glorifies toxic relationships. We want to help change that by creating stories that make people laugh, spark meaningful conversations, and show that healthy relationships can be just as compelling. For me, it all comes back to the same mission: telling stories that leave people feeling a little more hopeful than they did before.
Why Fans Will Love ‘Legend of the White Dragon’
Why will people love this movie?
Because it has heart.
Yes, it’s an exciting superhero movie with incredible action and a lot of nostalgia for longtime fans. But underneath all of that is a story about hope, redemption, friendship, and remembering who you are after life knocks you down. I think that’s something everyone can relate to.
How can fans support the movie?
The biggest thing people can do is buy tickets early and bring their friends. [Get tickets here.] Opening weekend is incredibly important. The more people who show up, the better chance we have for a bigger theatrical run, an international release, and a great streaming home so even more people around the world can experience this story.
How can fans follow and support you?
If you’d like to stay connected with me personally, you can follow me on social media or sign up through my website. I’ll also be launching my Hero Within community soon, which is something I’m incredibly excited about. My mission, whether through film or through my own work, is simple: to help people believe in themselves again, remember they’re not alone, and realize that every one of us has the ability to become the hero of our own story.
What is the Theatrical Release Date for ‘Legend of the White Dragon?’
The official release date for Legend of the White Dragon is Friday, August 28, better known as National Power Rangers Day. On this date in 1993, the very first episode of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, “Day of the Dumpster,” aired in the United States on the Fox Kids Network.
Where to Follow Rachele Brooke Smith Online
Featured photo courtesy of Rachele Brooke Smith.
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