KAMLOOPS — The Power Rangers movie opens tonight (March 23) in many North American cities, including Kamloops, which served as the backdrop for several scenes in the film.
For the locals who had a small role to play in the filming process, excitement is growing ahead of the Kamloops premiere.
WATCH: Full report by Jill Sperling
Many are wondering what familiar faces or locations may end up on the big screen.
Superfan Mike Loukopoulos had the opportunity to be a part of his favourite super hero franchise when a few scenes were filmed for the Power Rangers movie in Kamloops last summer.
“I was vibrating, like, no way! Of all places it’s going to be here,” Loukopoulos said.
The Power Rangers television series was introduced in 1993. Loukopoulos was fascinated by the show from the beginning, so when there was an opportunity to attend an open casting call for extras in the film he was first in line.
“I just wanted to make sure I at least said that, ‘OK we went for it’,” Loukopoulous said. “I wasn’t expecting anything, and all of a sudden I got this email saying, ‘so, you’re scheduled for next Wednesday.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there!’”
Loukopoulos was among a crowd of extras that can be seen fleeing monsters in the Kamloops Downtown, which was converted into the fictional town of Angel Grove, California during the filming process.
“Pretty much lined up down Seymour Street, they say, “OK, go,” and we’re booking it, running for our lives.”
With a number of recognizable locations in the film’s trailers, Kamloops itself is likely to get plenty of screen time.
“It was filmed on the Tk’emlups Indian Band reservation there,” said Vicci Weller of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission, “as well as downtown Kamloops, as well as in the surrounding areas of Kamloops, so it should be pretty fun to see all the buildings we’ve known and grown up with.”
While Loukopoulos understands that scenes are often cut during editing, he’s hopeful he’ll catch a glimpse of himself on the big screen when he attends the first Kamloops showing of the film.
“I’m clearing my schedule depending on how Thursday goes,” Loukopoulos said. “I might go see it again, and probably one more time after that too, and just spread the word. I have no big plans, but who knows.”
