Movies - The Masters of the Universe Cinematic Timeline: From 1987 to 2026

By Mulder, 18 august 2025

The cinematic odyssey of Masters of the Universe begins in 1987, when Cannon Films, then struggling financially, released the first live-action adaptation of the Mattel property. Directed by Gary Goddard and starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man alongside Frank Langella as Skeletor, the movie was meant to be the start of a new blockbuster franchise. Unfortunately, budget cuts forced the story away from Eternia and into suburban Earth, leaving audiences disappointed by the scaled-down vision. Although Langella’s performance remains celebrated, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing just $17 million. Cannon had planned a sequel—reportedly to be filmed on the set of Cyborg—but when the first film flopped, the follow-up was quietly scrapped.

The 1990s saw Hollywood experimenting with various fantasy and comic book adaptations, and the rights to Masters of the Universe bounced between studios, but no project reached development. It wasn’t until 2004 that renewed excitement appeared, when acclaimed action director John Woo was announced as being attached to helm a reboot for Fox 2000 Pictures. Screenwriter Adam Rifkin was linked to early drafts, and the combination of Woo’s kinetic action style with Eternia’s mythic battles promised a stylish revival. However, creative differences, studio hesitations, and budget concerns quickly derailed the project. Woo quietly stepped away, and the movie was abandoned, though fans still speculate on how his take might have rivaled his operatic Hong Kong classics.

In the late 2000s, Warner Bros. acquired the rights and attempted to push the property into production. John Stevenson, who had directed Kung Fu Panda, was initially courted to bring a mix of action and animation sensibilities to the film. Later, filmmaker Justin Marks turned in a script known as Grayskull, which was considered a darker and more faithful version of the lore. Despite interest, Warner Bros. eventually lost traction, and the project stalled once again. By 2009, Sony Pictures stepped in, picking up the rights and announcing their own plans for a live-action revival.

Sony’s involvement stretched across more than a decade, and it was perhaps the most tumultuous chapter in Masters of the Universe’s cinematic history. Over the years, several directors and writers were attached, including Jon M. Chu in 2012, who was fresh off G.I. Joe: Retaliation. His version was supposed to embrace the colorful fantasy elements of the property, but production complications and scheduling conflicts forced him to depart. Sony next considered Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2), and later McG, who was briefly announced as director in 2016 with a script that leaned heavily into science fiction and intergalactic adventure. None of these iterations ever moved beyond pre-production.

By the late 2010s, the directing duo Aaron and Adam Nee, who would go on to direct The Lost City, were hired to reimagine the story. In 2019, Noah Centineo was even cast as He-Man, and pre-production began to gain momentum. Yet as the pandemic reshaped Hollywood’s landscape and internal studio priorities shifted, Sony struggled to finance the project. In 2022, reports confirmed that Netflix was stepping in, planning to release the reboot as one of its flagship fantasy films. Kyle Allen was cast as the new Prince Adam, and development seemed stable. However, Netflix pulled out in 2023 due to the estimated $200 million budget being deemed too high, leaving the franchise adrift once again.

The turning point finally arrived when Amazon MGM Studios partnered with Mattel Films, determined to bring He-Man back to the big screen. In 2024, Travis Knight, celebrated for his work on Bumblebee and Kubo and the Two Strings, was announced as director, with Chris Butler writing the screenplay. Unlike the endless false starts of the past, this production quickly gained traction, securing a star-studded cast that included Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, and Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress. Kristen Wiig was added as the voice of Roboto, providing a touch of humor alongside the epic stakes. Filming commenced in the United Kingdom and officially wrapped in mid-2025, marking the first time in almost four decades that a new Masters of the Universe movie had been completed.

With the release now scheduled for June 2026, this latest chapter stands as the culmination of nearly forty years of false starts and fan frustration. From Cannon’s compromised 1987 film, to John Woo’s cancelled reboot, to Sony and Netflix’s revolving door of directors, the road to Eternia has been long and winding. Yet, after so many near misses, the upcoming Amazon MGM production promises to deliver what generations of fans have dreamed of: a true epic set in the fantastical world of Eternia, where He-Man and Skeletor finally clash in a cinematic spectacle worthy of their legendary status.

Photos : Boris Colletier / Mulderville