Arne Olsen Dead: ‘Red Scorpion,’ ‘Power Rangers’ Screenwriter Was 64

Arne Olsen, the screenwriter of “Cop and a Half” and “Might Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie,” died from complications related to cancer on Saturday in Vancouver, B.C. He was 64.  

Since his first credit for 1988’s action thriller “Red Scorpion,” Olsen wrote screenplays for a number of films, including “Black Ice,” “Final Round,” “Red Scorpion 2” and “All Dogs Go to Heaven 2,” and the TV movie “Escape from Atlantic.” Olsen’s latest film was 2018’s “Distorted,” starring John Cusack and Christina Ricci. He was skilled at writing scripts that crossed genres, including thrillers, action, comedy, drama and fantasy films. 

Olsen also wrote and directed the 2000 film “Here’s To Life!,” which follows an administrator of an old-age home, starring “Will and Grace’s” Eric McCormack. The movie was nominated for nine Genie Awards in Canada and won one. In 2010, Olsen was nominated for the Leo Award for Best Screenplay for the sci-fi thriller “Repeaters.” 

When Olsen was 21, he moved from Vancouver to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. Upon graduation from the American Film Institute, he landed his first job as a screenwriter on the Dolph Lundgren actioner “Red Scorpion.” Following the film, he wrote “Cop and a Half” in 1993, starring Burt Reynolds and directed by Henry Winkler. 

Olsen was a valued mentor to young screenwriters, and taught screenwriting at Capilano University and Vancouver Film School. He also served as a story editor on a number of features. Olsen was a member of the WGC and WGA.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne, and children Ryan and Alyssa.