Everything We Know About the Live-Action Reboot

A new live-action reboot of Masters of the Universe is on the way, and there’s plenty to be excited for before the adaptation hits theaters. The Mattel franchise has been thriving since the early 1980s, having spawned numerous toy lines, several cartoons, movies, comic books, and video games, with audiences becoming well acquainted with the characters, like He-Man and Skeletor. Amazon MGM Studios is producing a live-action reimagining of Masters of the Universe, which has a stellar cast and numerous notable names working behind the scenes to breathe new life into the series.

A Masters of the Universe film has been in various stages of development for nearly 20 years, attracting lauded talent. Writers like Blade and Batman v Superman scribe David S. Goyer and Kick-Ass 2‘s Jeff Wadlow walked away, and variations even saw directors like Face/Off‘s John Woo and Wicked‘s Jon M. Chu leave the project. The reboot was nearly sent into production by Netflix before they deemed the budget too high, with Amazon MGM Studios swooping in to save the project. The Netflix version had even cast actors, including Noah Centineo as He-Man, but the casting was scrapped when plans shifted. The Masters of the Universe reboot is finally due to hit theaters later this year, with decades of hype to live up to.

The ‘Masters of the Universe’ Trailer Confirms the Reboot for 2026

Fans are finally getting their first glimpse at the live-action reboot of Masters of the Universe with the first trailer, which confirms a June 5, 2026, theatrical release, barring unforeseen circumstances. While the release date was announced in 2024, it looks to be well locked in with the start of promotional advertising. The budget for the summer tentpole is unofficial but is believed to be around $170 million. The studio is showing confidence in the IP, with the money on display in casting and large-scale visual storytelling. Masters of the Universe aims to embrace the franchise’s nostalgia while offering an original take on the He-Man story, presenting a bold swing poised to launch a franchise. Filming took place early in 2025, with the massive production wrapping in June, giving the movie nearly a year of post-production time.

Much of the splendor on display comes from director Travis Knight, whose resume includes the critically acclaimed stop-motion film Kubo and the Two Strings and the fan-favorite Transformers movie Bumblebee. ParaNorman and Kubo and the Two Strings scribe Chris Butler penned the script, which is based on drafts by Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse‘s Dave Callaham and The Lost City‘s Aaron and Adam Nee. The trailer showcases the spectacular cast and distinct character interpretations, setting up a plot that Masters of the Universe fans may not have seen before, aiming to combine elements of the old cartoon series and even the 1987 Dolph Lundgren film with new ideas.

Early reactions from test screenings have also confirmed a few details surrounding Masters of the Universe. Reports say the movie is “around two hours” long, though that may change as it goes through post-production. Those same early screenings have also praised the movie’s nostalgic fun, with audiences impressed, and many were even stunned by the central villain. Some fans also described Masters of the Universe as “very comedic,” likely a mix of proven elements that have worked for larger franchises like the MCU.

The Cast of ‘Masters of the Universe’

Masters of the Universe is delivering on the characters fans expect to see, even finding impeccable ways to keep their live-action interpretations as faithful as possible to their inspirations. He-Man, or Prince Adam of Eternia, is front and center, with even his pink shirt being an Easter egg to let fans know the creators understand the franchise’s history and the viral power of memes. Nicholas Galitzine, who fans know as Prince Henry from Red, White & Royal Blue, also got into impeccable shape to embody the character, ready to tackle the dual nature of the role.

Beyond He-Man, audiences are treated to stellar interpretations of Teela, Man-At-Arms, Evil-Lyn, The Sorceress, and even Battle Cat. The Masters of the Universe trailer also pulls off a Skeletor reveal that is sure to have fans talking, and reveals two unexpected characters, Beast Man and Spikor, which could suggest more introductions still to come, like Orko (who has not been seen or confirmed).

The cast is peppered with notable entries that are sure to perk up fans of sci-fi and fantasy entertainment, including Firefly and Deadpool star Morena Baccarin, Community’s Alison Brie, and even Hafþór Björnsson, who viewers know as Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane from Game of Thrones. While Jared Leto’s casting as Skeletor was announced in late 2024, many viewers may not realize he’s involved in the project, as happened recently with Tron: Ares, which some posit may have contributed to its negative box office. Whether Masters of the Universe suffers a similar backlash remains to be seen. Still, given Skeletor’s importance to the story and the fan base, it could pose a problem, especially with clear plans to launch a franchise following Mattel’s success with Barbie. Yet, early reactions and his presence in the trailer suggest he will deliver a worthy performance.

The Plot of ‘Masters of the Universe’

Amazon MGM Studios

The trailer for Masters of the Universe seems to align with early word of mouth from screenings, featuring heavy nostalgia and elements that even feel reminiscent of Superman’s ​​​​​​story. The trailer is primed with humor and a vibrant color palette to accompany a franchise so many remember first and foremost as a cartoon. However, the reboot appears to take liberties with specific known lore, which plays a role in the overall story. While Masters of the Universe is still a few months out, the production has shared a brief synopsis:

Ten-year-old Prince Adam crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword — the only link to his home on Eternia. After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe.

More detailed plot elements are likely to be released as the movie’s release nears, but Masters of the Universe looks to feature a heavy focus on Earth, much like Lundgren’s 1987 film. The 2026 release also features the first proper live-action iteration of Eternia, a fun world for old and new fans alike to explore, where plenty of action appears to take place, with stellar looks at locations like Castle Grayskull. Galitzine has even acknowledged that the reboot is an “original version” while speaking with THR last year, stating:

“What I will say is our version is quite different from the original animation, which we all agree was camp within its own right and worked so well for the time. But there’s been a couple of iterations, obviously since there was the Revelation version of Masters of the Universe, and the comics themselves. And we’re very much treating our script as Bible, you know. But it’s kind of amazing to hear what this show meant to a lot of people. It was really formative for a lot of people, so it’s exciting to do something that will have a nostalgia element as well as hopefully attract a bunch of new fans.”

The style and feel seem inspired by films like Guardians of the Galaxy, aiming to capture a colorful team dynamic through a cast of eccentric characters, with Brie even hailing the project, telling THR, “I read the script, and I think it’s really clever. It has a really great take on He-Man.” Whether embracing the Marvel formula translates into franchise success remains to be seen, but if early word of mouth is any indication, even the liberties it takes with established lore won’t be overly upsetting. Still, Masters of the Universe has gotten the hype train rolling, with theatergoers in for a treat this summer.

Release Date

June 5, 2026

Director

Travis Knight

Writers

Chris Butler