Movies - Masters of the Universe: Filming Wraps on a Legendary Comeback

By Mulder, 15 june 2025

“Well, that’s a wrap on Masters of the Universe. It has been an honour shouldering the responsibility of playing Adam and He Man. It’s been the role of a lifetime and I put everything into it. There’s not much I can show you, but I am so proud of the movie we’ve made. Thanks to our amazing cast and crew for all your hard work.” - Nicholas Galitzine

After decades of developmental limbo, changes in vision, countless rewrites, and multiple reboots that never left the launch pad, Masters of the Universe has finally wrapped filming—and this time, it’s for real. On June 15, 2025, Nicholas Galitzine, the actor portraying the iconic dual role of Prince Adam and He-Man, took to Instagram to confirm that production had officially come to a close. His words—"the role of a lifetime"—capture the sentiment shared by an entire generation who grew up with the phrase “By the power of Grayskull!” etched in their collective imagination. For a character who has stood as a symbol of strength, honor, and heroic destiny since the 1980s, this live-action film marks a momentous return. More than just a wrap on a film shoot, this milestone closes a decades-long quest for Eternia’s cinematic salvation.

The journey to bring Masters of the Universe back to the big screen is almost as epic as He-Man’s battles against Skeletor. Since the early 2000s, Hollywood studios have struggled to get this mythic space-fantasy franchise off the ground. At various points, directors like McG, David S. Goyer, and even Jon M. Chu were attached. Actors from Kellan Lutz to Noah Centineo trained and tested for the lead role. Millions of dollars were sunk into false starts—Netflix alone burned through $30 million before pulling the plug in 2023. At times, the production seemed cursed, echoing the frustration felt by fans waiting for Eternia’s rightful heir to return. But in late 2023, a beacon of hope finally emerged: Amazon MGM Studios stepped in, breathing new life into the project, and by May 2024, Travis Knight was confirmed as the director, with Chris Butler refining the screenplay.

Travis Knight, best known for his acclaimed work on Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee, brings an emotional sincerity and a flair for world-building that suits Eternia perfectly. His selection signaled that Masters of the Universe would not just be a fan-service action film, but a carefully crafted cinematic universe with narrative depth. The plot centers on ten-year-old Adam Glenn crash-landing on Earth, separated from the Sword of Grayskull. Two decades later, a now-grown Adam reclaims the blade, transforms into He-Man, and journeys back to Eternia to defend his people from the tyrannical Skeletor. It’s a deeply resonant origin tale that draws from the source material’s heart—Adam’s transformation isn’t just physical; it’s the realization of purpose, identity, and the burdens of legacy.

That emotional weight is shouldered by Nicholas Galitzine, who fully embraced the duality of his role with seriousness and joy. Known previously for romantic leads, Galitzine’s casting initially raised eyebrows, but his dedication—both physical and emotional—has clearly paid off. Opposite him, Jared Leto dives into the role of Skeletor, the blue-skinned sorcerer and fan-favorite villain. Given Leto’s history with enigmatic and intense characters, his performance is expected to be chilling, layered, and utterly magnetic. Their clash isn’t just good versus evil—it’s a battle of destinies, philosophies, and fractured family ties, as Skeletor is portrayed here as King Randor’s half-brother.

The cast is a glorious blend of blockbuster names and inspired choices. Camila Mendes brings fierce energy and nuance to Teela, the daughter of Man-At-Arms and a warrior in her own right. Alison Brie, always adept at balancing intelligence and danger, portrays Evil-Lyn, posing undercover as a professor while secretly manipulating events. Idris Elba takes on the role of Duncan, aka Man-At-Arms, a father figure and tech genius. Supporting villains like Sam C. Wilson’s Trap Jaw and Kojo Attah’s Tri-Klops add edge, while muscle comes courtesy of Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Goat Man. The heroic roster rounds out with Morena Baccarin as the mystical Sorceress, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as the powerful Fisto, and James Purefoy and Charlotte Riley as King Randor and Queen Marlena—the royal couple whose lost son becomes the galaxy’s greatest hope.

This film isn’t just banking on nostalgia; it’s built on cinematic ambition. With Fabian Wagner behind the camera—renowned for his work on Game of Thrones—audiences can expect sweeping fantasy visuals infused with gritty realism. The world of Eternia will be a stunning blend of otherworldly landscapes, massive strongholds like Castle Grayskull, and high-concept battles that reflect the emotional stakes beneath the armor. For fans who grew up on the Filmation cartoon or the ‘87 live-action cult classic starring Dolph Lundgren, this new film feels like the grand-scale reboot they’ve longed for—a respectful evolution, not a retread.

But perhaps what makes this moment feel so significant is the enduring cultural footprint of Masters of the Universe. When Mattel launched the franchise in 1982, it redefined toy merchandising. With its bold mash-up of barbarian lore and sci-fi gadgetry, it offered kids a universe where technology and magic were one and the same. The original animated series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, expanded that appeal by delivering not just action, but clear moral lessons and character arcs. Its companion series, She-Ra: Princess of Power, further broadened the narrative scope and audience. Decades later, even amidst changing pop culture tastes, He-Man’s core message—courage, justice, and self-belief—still resonates.

With a release date locked for June 5, 2026, and production now complete, anticipation is heating up. There's still a long promotional road ahead, filled with trailers, interviews, and fan debates about how Eternia will look and feel in this new era. But the hard part is done. After years of false starts and abandoned scripts, Masters of the Universe is no longer a “what if.” It’s real. And if the passion of its cast, the vision of its creative team, and the legacy it carries are any indication, this could be the definitive He-Man film fans have been waiting for. For Nicholas Galitzine, and for millions who once held a plastic sword aloft in their backyard, it’s more than just a movie—it’s a return to power.

Synopsis :
A young man on Earth discovers a fabulous secret legacy as the prince of an alien planet, and must recover a magic sword and return home to protect his kingdom.

Masters of the Universe
Directed by Travis Knight
Written by Chris Butler
Based on Masters of the Universe by Mattel
Produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Robbie Brenner
Starring  Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Sasheer Zamata, James Purefoy, Charlotte Riley
Cinematography : Fabian Wagner
Production companies : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Mattel Films, Escape Artists
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios
Release date : June 5, 2026 (United States)