Like video game movies, studios have often tried to mine classic toy brands into successful franchises. There’s been little in the way of success, but Barbie changed that in 2023 with a whopping $1.4B box office. That put Mattel on the cinematic map, and the next film from the company is the long-developing Masters of the Universe, which has been in the works in various forms for more than two decades, but is finally happening with Amazon MGM Studios.
Nicholas Galitzine is the somewhat surprising choice to play Prince Adam/He-Man, joined by Camila Mendes as Teela, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Morena Baccarin as The Sorceress, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Fisto, James Purefoy as King Randor, plus Charlotte Riley, Sasheer Zamata, and Kristen Wiig as the voice of Roboto.
Travis Knight, the Laika CEO best known for Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee, directs from a script by Chris Butler.
SYNOPSIS: In MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, Director Travis Knight brings the legendary franchise back to the big screen in this epic live-action adventure. After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
Masters of the Universe hits theaters on June 5th, when it will square off against Scary Movie 6. As someone who grew up with pretty much every He-Man action figure ever created, I sincerely want this film to be good and successful.
