After years of development limbo, the live-action reboot of Masters of the Universe is finally gearing up for production.
Originally slated for a Netflix adaptation in 2022, the project faced multiple setbacks, with recent news indicating another failed attempt to kickstart the beloved animated series.
However, hope reignited when Amazon/MGM Studios acquired the rights, with acclaimed director Travis Knight, known for Bumblebee, in talks to lead the project. Now, it’s official: Knight has signed on, and the movie is slated for a June 5, 2026 release.
Chris Butler took over scriptwriting duties from David Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), with the Nee Brothers (The Lost City) previously attached to direct.
Alongside this update, a revised synopsis hints at a significant departure from the original lore, promising an intriguing new take on the iconic tale.
The story follows “10-year-old Prince Adam who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword—the only link to his home on Eternia. After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe!”
Prince Adam’s origin has been portrayed in various ways across animated shows and comic books. However, this upcoming adaptation marks a significant departure, as it depicts the character growing up on Earth before returning to Eternia as an adult. This narrative twist is a fresh approach, diverging from previous iterations, though it’s worth noting that the ’80s live-action movie starring Dolph Lundgren did have a primary focus on Earth.
Kyle Allen, known for his role in West Side Story, was initially set to portray He-Man in the upcoming film. However, recent reports suggest that a different actor might take on the iconic role.
Produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, and DeVon Franklin, the project underwent significant development under Netflix, with nearly $30 million invested over two years. Despite efforts to manage the budget, originally exceeding $200 million, Netflix ultimately opted to withdraw from the project due to challenges in substantial cost reduction.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe takes place on Eternia, a planet of magic, myth and fantasy. Its lead character is Prince Adam, the young son of Eternia’s rulers, King Randor and Queen Marlena. Whenever Prince Adam holds the Sword of Power aloft and proclaims “By the Power of Grayskull! I have the power!” he is endowed with “fabulous secret powers” and transformed into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. Together with his close allies, Battle Cat (who undergoes a similar transformation from being Adam’s cowardly pet tiger Cringer), The Sorceress, Teela, Man-At-Arms and Orko, He-Man uses his powers to defend Eternia from the evil forces of Skeletor. Skeletor’s main goal is to conquer the mysterious fortress of Castle Grayskull, from which He-Man draws his powers. If successful, Skeletor would have enough power to rule all of Eternia and possibly the entire universe
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