There are some actors who do cons and are scared to death of embracing the role that made them famous or of the fans that greet them, However, Jason David Frank is not one of those actors. Actor, martial arts instructor, family man, and person of faith, JDF is one of a kind and I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to interview him for Viral Hare. His responses are in bold.
Was doing the 25th-anniversary reunion episode of Power Rangers kind of like coming home, or was it sort of weird to be back together with the gang?
It actually felt really good. The same crew worked on it, the same cameraman and the same crew from twenty-five years ago, so, that actually felt like at home. I’ve known Chip Lynn for years I mean ever since I started the show. I’ve known him and working with Jeff from Dino Thunder ,Steve Cardenas and Sierra from Megaforce I didn’t get a chance to work with other guys like Antonio (Garcia) who played the Blue Ranger or you know I didn’t get to work with those guys other than that It felt like I was at home. I love filming and working with the cameras you know.
Since you have always enjoyed having your Rangers be good guys, was portraying Lord Drakkon in the shattered grid promo trailer sort of a fun change?
Oh, that was a blast man. Lord Drakkon, I love him. The difference between Lord Drakkon and all of my other characters is that Lord Drakkon is very educated. He’s very smart, he’s very thorough, he thinks about things. he’s one of those bad guys that can be really tricky. And he uses his wits really, to be honest, I’m not saying Tommy didn’t but Lord Drakkon is mature and evil and he wants to rule the dimensions. And although Lord Drakkon would love to be good, he just can’t be and he realizes that. That’s why in the Shattered Grid trailer, when Kyle was directing me he said, “hey man when she says Tommy you’ll always be one of us let’s reminisce a little bit and let it run in your head, yes I wish I was good but, no I’m not, let’s attack type of thing”, so yeah it was definitely different . I would like to see him come to a series, to be honest.
Since you live in the Houston area, is it exciting to work with a different con, The Fandemic Tour, since it’s a little closer to home?
It definitely feels good. My dad’s coming to visit me and he asked if I have to work and I said yep Pop’s I do but it’s really just right down the street so it’s not really working for me. I really love Comic Cons, but this time, I don’t have to travel so just being at Fandemic with John Macaluso and all the guys it feels good. It really feels good to be home.
Since I live in Pasadena TX, I was curious what inspired the choice to have it be the kickoff point for Power Morphicon express, next year?
People, plan this like a year ahead of time and it’s just like a Power Rangers convention with everything except I get to get out all the information and stuff. I partnered with Scott(Zilner) and were actually starting out in your hometown Pasadena, this coming April 6th and 7th at the Pasadena Convention Center. and the reason that why I picked Pasadena, Texas especially was because Scott started the Power Morphicon in Pasadena California at a very small hotel. It was, you know the only 200 people and they built into this massive empire, and it’s what we’re doing but on a smaller scale. And I just thought it’d be good for people and different areas of San Antonio, and different areas of Texas that could travel to Power Morphicon Express and still get exclusive exclusives and toys at one of the official Power Rangers conventions. And it doesn’t conflict with other Comic Cons because it’s not a comic con, it’s a Ranger con. We used to hear about the Trekkie cons and all that, and that’s what it is it’s a themed show. It’s Power Morphicon so I’m really excited about that.
A few years ago you did a movie called The Young Defenders, which was about a crazed fan, do you still see that level craziness going on or has that died down some?
It’s crazy that you said that I’ve never really put that together. I’ve never thought about it like that, that’s crazy. Yeah, that’s right you know, I did that movie with Ally Sheedy. It was a one-day thing, you know you’re right, I’m going to have to re-watch that. I did that movie because it was about a fan going crazy and having us (the “good guys” of the film)film a different episode of the series we were supposed to be in. So, that’s nuts. Yeah, things have calmed down a bit but, you guys knowing that Jacksonville shooting and at the gaming show and Convention Center this stuff is just out of control man like somebody needs to put rules and regulations in. Pasadena, Texas. at the Power Morphicon, I have more friends up here (in Texas) in the police department they will be watching doors, they will be looking at people. It’s going to be a super safe con. Now I will say this, we are in Texas we are an open carry and we are a concealed-carry state. We will be checking to make sure no one’s carrying concealed weapons and make the rules clear and make sure everyone is respectful. If you have a presence at the door it’s great, but, when you have no presence on the floor it stinks. I’m glad you asked about it and that’s great because a lot of people shy away from it ’cause they’re too worried and nervous to talk about it. Let’s face it some guy tried to kill me right. and he’s in jail now. He came in with all these weapons, I can’t even release a picture of weapons. People see it and will be like, are you kidding me? I have these police pictures and I’m showing people and it puts it in a whole new perspective and with that going on out there . It’s good you can talk about it because like I said a lot of people, shy away from it. It’s an important aspect to know this stuff can happen out there. I don’t see from my social media followers, but there is this underground Power Rangers World, he’s connected to dark Power Rangers underground with other people. He was in Amy Jo Johnson’s movie she did he paid to be like in a little picture in that. There’s a lot of weird stuff going on and I will say that Steve and, I would love for you to put this in, because I want him to know what a great job he did at Colorado Comic-Con. I just came from there, he had the top notch security team. I cannot believe it I was almost at the point, dude you’re not going to let me in the door, and they said no you’re not wearing your badge, and at that point, I said wow that’s what we need. His team was unbelievable, and he owns Rhode Island Comic Con too, so he took the time and the money to go out of his way to do this. Which was amazing because when that shooting happened in Jacksonville, I just went back to tell Steve, I’m so happy you’re comic con was so safe. Because people will ask how was it because I had become some people’s go-to guy on Comic-Con safety. I’m worried it’s just died down with no rules and regulations, and almost every promoter I talk to, says, well the cost is a little expensive to put cops into the floor. Dude, I understand but when you’re doing a big show like that you should be able to bring police officers onto the show floor.
