Movies - Masters of the Universe : Eternia Rises at Last in an Ambitious First Trailer

By Mulder, 22 january 2026

After nearly two decades of false starts, abandoned scripts, shifting studios, and an almost mythical development hell worthy of Eternia itself, Masters of the Universe has finally revealed its first trailer, and it does far more than simply confirm the project is real this time. Directed by Travis Knight, the film immediately signals a tonal ambition that blends epic sword-and-sorcery spectacle with grounded character mythology, positioning this long-awaited adaptation as a genuine cinematic event rather than a nostalgic cash-in. The trailer leans heavily into scale, with sweeping shots of Eternia, glimpses of Castle Grayskull bathed in ominous light, and a deliberate pacing that mirrors Travis Knight’s previous ability to balance emotional storytelling with large-scale world-building. For fans who grew up with the Mattel franchise and those who remember the uneven legacy of the 1987 film, this first look feels like a statement of intent: this is Masters of the Universe taken seriously, finally allowed to exist on the epic canvas it has always demanded.

At the center of this new interpretation stands Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam Glenn / He-Man, whose journey is reimagined with an origin structure that spans worlds and decades. The film introduces Adam as a ten-year-old child crash-landing on Earth, separated from the Power Sword of Grayskull, an idea that immediately grounds the myth in emotional loss and displacement before expanding it back into cosmic fantasy. Two decades later, Adam’s return to Eternia and reclamation of his destiny gives the character a narrative weight that goes beyond brute strength, and the trailer subtly emphasizes this duality, showing a man shaped by absence as much as power. Nicholas Galitzine’s physical transformation has already been widely discussed online, but the footage suggests that the performance aims for restraint and vulnerability as much as heroism, aligning with Travis Knight’s reputation for character-first spectacle.

The supporting cast revealed in the trailer reinforces the film’s commitment to both mythology and modern reinterpretation. Camila Mendes appears as Teela, Captain of the Guards, portrayed not merely as a warrior but as a commanding presence whose loyalty and discipline anchor Eternia’s defenses. Idris Elba’s Duncan / Man-At-Arms radiates authority and emotional gravity, embodying the role of inventor, mentor, and adoptive father with a physical presence that feels instantly credible. Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull brings an ethereal, almost tragic energy to the footage, reinforcing her role as guardian rather than distant mystic, while James Purefoy and Charlotte Riley as King Randor and Queen Marlena Glenn finally give the royal family a dramatic weight that previous incarnations rarely explored. The trailer’s quieter moments between these characters suggest a story deeply invested in lineage, duty, and inherited burden.

Unsurprisingly, much of the trailer’s attention gravitates toward Jared Leto’s Skeletor, and the first glimpses do not shy away from the character’s theatrical menace. Presented here as Keldor, Randor’s half-brother and leader of the Evil Warriors, Skeletor is framed less as a cartoon villain and more as a corrupted mirror of power and ambition. Alison Brie’s Evil-Lyn, introduced through a dual identity as Professor Evelyn Powers on Earth, adds an intriguing layer of deception and intelligence to the antagonistic side, hinting at a narrative that intertwines science, sorcery, and infiltration. Supporting villains such as Sam C. Wilson’s Trap Jaw, Kojo Attah’s Tri-Klops, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s Goat Man, and Jon Xue Zhang’s Ram-Man are teased visually rather than explained, a smart choice that preserves mystery while reassuring fans that the iconic rogues’ gallery is being honored.

What makes this trailer particularly resonant is the sheer weight of history behind it. Masters of the Universe has been one of Hollywood’s most famously elusive adaptations, cycling through studios including Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Netflix, and ultimately Amazon MGM Studios. Over the years, filmmakers such as John Woo, Jon M. Chu, McG, and David S. Goyer were attached and departed, scripts were rewritten by dozens of writers, and entire creative visions were discarded due to budget concerns. Netflix’s cancellation in 2023, after reportedly spending $30 million in development, seemed like yet another nail in the coffin before Amazon MGM stepped in. Seeing the trailer now, with production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas’s world-building fully realized and Fabian Wagner’s cinematography lending the film a tactile, cinematic texture, it’s hard not to view this moment as the culmination of years of unrealized ambition finally given the resources to exist.

Visually, the trailer benefits enormously from Travis Knight’s background in animation and effects-driven storytelling, blending practical textures with large-scale digital environments that never feel weightless. The influence of classic high fantasy is evident without tipping into imitation, and there’s a conscious effort to avoid the camp that once haunted the franchise’s cinematic reputation. Even the costume work, overseen by Richard Sale, strikes a balance between iconic silhouettes and functional realism, suggesting a world built to be lived in rather than merely referenced. Online reactions have already highlighted the trailer’s restraint, its refusal to overload viewers with exposition, and its confidence in letting imagery and atmosphere do the heavy lifting.

Scheduled for release on June 5, 2026, in the United States and Canada by Amazon MGM Studios, with international distribution handled by Sony Pictures Releasing International, Masters of the Universe now stands as one of the most closely watched fantasy releases on the horizon. More than just a revival of a beloved brand, the trailer positions the film as a reclamation of a myth that has waited decades for its moment. For longtime fans, this first look feels like vindication; for newcomers, it offers a gateway into a universe finally treated with the scale, seriousness, and creative respect it has always deserved.

Synopsis : 
He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, battles the evil Skeletor to save the planet Eternia and protect the secrets of Castle Grayskull.

Masters of the Universe
Directed by Travis Knight
Written by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, Dave Callaham
Story by Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, Alex Litvak, Michael Finch
Based on Masters of the Universe by Mattel
Produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Robbie Brenner
Starring  Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, Idris Elba
Cinematography : Fabian Wagner
Edited by Paul Rubell
Production companies : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Mattel Studios, Escape Artists
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios (North America), Sony Pictures Releasing International (International)
Release date : June 5, 2026