“Masters of the Universe” is one of the oldest franchises in the world of entertainment, which has had a strong presence in popular culture since the early 80s. The company Mattel (Mattel), which you know more with Barbie dolls, had released various toys, several cartoon series, comic books, and video games based on this collection in the last decade or two, and now the Amazon MGM studio plans to bring this fantasy world back to the mainstream cinema with a new live-action take. The new version of “Lords of the World” is not a small and abandoned film, it is a full-fledged blockbuster that wants to redefine this franchise for today’s audience with the presence of reputable names behind and in front of the camera, but what do we know about this film?
This fantasy film traveled a steep path to reach the current point; In fact, it was stuck in development limbo for nearly 20 years. It was constantly changed hands, rewritten and changed course many times. During this time, famous figures joined and left the project. Writers like David S. Goyer, who has worked on Razor and Batman v Superman, and Kick-S2 writer Jeff Wadlow worked on the script for a while but eventually dropped out. Even famous directors like John Woo and John M. Cho were involved in the project at one time and each left for different reasons.
At one point, it looked like Netflix was going to kill the project. The film went to the threshold of production and even actors like Noah Centino were chosen for the role of He-Man. But in the end, high costs and financial concerns caused Netflix to back out, and the entire cast was dropped. This is where Amazon MGM stepped in and saved the project that had been in limbo for years.
The filming of “Lords of the Universe” began in early 2025 and ended in June; This means that the production team spent almost a full year in post-production. This long span is crucial, especially for a film that relies heavily on special effects and visual world-building, and can play a decisive role in the final quality of the work.
But the main reason we are optimistic about the film is due to its director: Travis Knight. The filmmaker, who proved his ability in mythological and emotional narratives with the acclaimed stop-motion animation “Kubo and Two Strings” (2016) and showed with “Bumblebee” (2018), can make a well-made and character-driven film at the center of a large franchise. A remarkable combination of talents can be seen in the script department. ParaNorman writer Chris Butler wrote the final script based on drafts by Dave Callaham (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Aaron and Adam Nee (The Lost City); A combination that promises an energetic, adventurous yet contemporary story.
The trailer of the film, which was made available some time ago, showed that we are facing a different but faithful film that can satisfy both moviegoers and ardent fans of the series. It also seems that the film intends to combine the classic elements of the 80s cartoons and even the 1987 film version with Dolph Lundgren with new ideas and is not a dry and empty remake.
The pilot version of the film was shown to some fans some time ago and received positive feedback. The duration of the film is reportedly around two hours, although this may change slightly in the final stages of editing. Audiences who have seen the film earlier have praised its nostalgic and fun aspects more than anything, and most of them have been surprised by the characterization of the main villain of the story. And as we expected, the comedy elements have a strong presence in the film and the audience has compared it with the successful works of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If Travis Nice can strike the right balance between humor, action and the classic elements of the series, this film will appeal to a wider audience.
Who are the actors and characters of “Lords of the World”?
The movie is not yet released but at least so far, it seems that the makers have no intention of changing the nature of the characters and we see the return of the classic characters, without betraying the roots. One of the biggest concerns in such remakes is the preservation of identity, and Travis Knight and his team are particularly obsessed with keeping the film faithful to the original source material.
In the center of this world is He-Man or Prince Adam from Eternia; The character who carries the main burden of the narrative. Even her famous pink shirt is incorporated into the film as an Easter egg (a clever reference that both pays homage to the franchise’s history and shows that the creators are aware of internet culture and the power of memes to go viral). Nicholas Galitzin, whose credits include the film “Your Idea” and the mini-series “Mary and George”, has undergone a significant physical transformation for this role and has reached considerable physical fitness. But more important than the muscles and heroic looks, he had to be able to portray the Adam/He-Man duality.
But the appeal of “Masters of the Universe” is not limited to He-Man. The trailer and published information show that other key characters of the world of Eternia have a strong presence in the story; From Tila and Skeletor to Evil-Lynn and Kronis. Even Battle Cat, one of the most popular icons of the franchise, is present. Also, the presence of characters like Beastman and Spykor in the film shows that the creators are planting the seeds of a wider universe. Of course, provided that the film is successful at the box office.
In the cast, you can expect to meet familiar faces: Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Alison Berry, Kristen Wiig and Morena Baccarin. Meanwhile, the choice of Jared Leto for the role of Skeletor, which was announced in late 2024, is still one of the most controversial decisions. Some audiences may not even know about his presence in the project; The same thing that happened to the movie “Tron” Ares.
Jared Leto’s recent movies have almost all failed at the box office. It is not clear whether his game will be met with similar negative reactions here as well. But considering the vital importance of Skeletor’s character in the narrative and his position with fans, this choice can be both a serious risk and a winning card. In addition, the ambitious plans of the Mattel company to launch a new film franchise – after the historic success of Barbie – has doubled the pressure of expectations.
What is the story of the movie “Masters of the World”?
Based on the trailer, it seems that the film will take the same path that fans have been expecting; A work steeped in nostalgia, with a tone and structure that at times reminds of the classic narratives of “Superman”. Relying on humor and cheerful coloring, this trailer tried to show that the film is faithful to the cartoon roots of this franchise. But in any case, this movie is not going to be a perfect remake and there are clear signs of change in the story. These changes will play a key role in advancing the narrative.
The film’s official synopsis reads: “10-year-old Prince Adam crashes on Earth in a spaceship and is separated from his Power Sword, which is his only link to his home on the planet Eternia. After nearly two decades, he manages to find the sword and is immediately transported through space to defend his home planet against Skeletor’s evil forces. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam must first uncover the secrets of his past and become He-Man: The World’s Most Powerful Man.”
This initial plot shows that part of the story takes place on Earth; An approach reminiscent of the 1987 movie version. With the difference that the 2026 version, for the first time, intends to present an appropriate and detailed image of Eternia; A world that has a lot to say for both old fans and new audiences.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter last year, Nicholas Galitzin emphasized that the film is an “original version” and not a direct remake of the animated classic. He explained about this: “What I can say is that our version is very different from the original animation; The animation that we all agree was very exaggerated in its kind and worked well in its time. But since then, many versions have been made. We treat the script like a bible. It’s amazing to hear how deeply this collection has meant to so many people. But it’s exciting to make a film that has both an element of nostalgia and a new group of fans.”
In terms of style and context, the film is apparently inspired by James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy; Especially in the way it presents a colorful cast of quirky characters and their dynamic interactions with each other. Alison Berry also had a positive look at this project, saying in her interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “I read the script and I think it’s very cleverly written. It has a very attractive look at the character of He-Man.”
Whether the use of “Marvel formulas” can guarantee the success of this franchise, we do not know. But if we trust the initial reactions, the changes applied in this version will not be annoying for the fans. In any case, the “Lords of the Universe” thrill train is on its way and if everything goes as expected, the audience will be in for a glamorous and entertaining experience this coming summer.
When will “Lords of the World” be released?
At the same time as the trailer was released, the makers announced that the film will be released on June 5, 2026 (June 15, 1405). This date was announced in early 2024, but due to the erosive process of producing expensive works, there was a possibility that the film would be delayed.
The exact budget of this blockbuster film has not been officially announced yet, but estimates show an astronomical figure between 170 and 200 million dollars. This means that Mattel and Amazon have opened a special account on the film and hope it will become one of the best films of 2026. With the presence of popular actors, a talented filmmaker behind the camera and a suitable budget, the platform is ready for “Masters of the World” to start a new film series.
Source: movieweb
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