Masters of the Universe: The first picture of He-Man!
The film adaptation has a remarkable cast
Production of the "Masters of the Universe" real-life adaptation is progressing: now that the most important roles have been cast, Amazon MGM Studios has released the first image via its social media channels.
"Eternia is in good hands." This is how the studio announces the first official image. The muscular upper body of the protagonist Prince Adam, played by Nicholas Galitzine, can be seen. The main focus is on his massive sword, which turns him into He-Man.
The live-action adaptation of "Masters of the Universe" tells the story of how the young Prince Adam first lands on Earth. Years later, however, he is reunited with the Sword of Power and takes on the villain Skeletor on his home planet of Eternia.
Cast and crew
Sekeletor is played by Jared Leto in the live-action adaptation. "Riverdale" star Camila Mendes takes on the role of Teela, while Morena Baccarin, known from the "Deadpool" films, will appear as the Sorceress of Grayskull. James Purefoy will also be seen as King Randor, Idris Elba as Duncan and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn.
The film will be directed by "Bumblebee" director Travis Knight. It will be a little over a year before He-Man swings his sword again. The theatrical release of "Masters of the Universe" is scheduled for June 5, 2026.
The Masters of the Universe films and series
There have been several films and series in the Masters of the Universe universe over the last few decades. Here we take a look at the most significant of the franchise.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The first animated series
The "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" animated series, which first aired in 1983, was the birth of the franchise on television. It followed the adventures of Prince Adam, the heir to the kingdom of Eternia, who transforms into the mighty He-Man to battle the evil Skeletor. The series had a clear focus on action and morality.
With a colorful cast of characters - including Teela, Orko and many more - "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" quickly became an 80s classic. The series combined fantasy elements with futuristic sci-fi aspects, laying the foundations for the franchise.
Masters of the Universe: The cult real-life movie
First released in 1987, the "Masters of the Universe" film was the first (and so far only) live-action adaptation of the franchise. Starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor, the film was an ambitious project that attempted to bring the world of Eternia to the big screen.
Unfortunately, the movie was a commercial failure upon its release. The deviations from the original were not met with enthusiasm by all fans of the series. Nevertheless, the film has achieved cult status over the years, mainly due to its quirky portrayal of the characters and classic 80s aesthetic. The mix of fantasy and science fiction, as well as the presence of action-packed scenes, make it a nostalgic treat for many fans.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A new interpretation
In 2021, the "Masters of the Universe" franchise underwent another revival - this time as a CGI-animated series for a younger audience. This version of "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" focused on a new look and a faster-paced, action-packed narrative. In the series, young Adam discovers that he is the true heir to Eternia and carries the power of He-Man within him. The series brings fresh animation and modern storytelling techniques to bring the story to a new generation of fans.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation and Revolution: a return to the roots
In addition to the child-friendly remake, a series for an adult audience was also released in 2021: "Masters of the Universe: Revelation". This Netflix production, developed by Kevin Smith, continues the story of the classic "Masters of the Universe" animated series and takes the 80s series as its template.
The story takes place after the events of the original series and shows the warriors of Eternia - above all Teela - in their fight to save the universe after He-Man has disappeared. With familiar characters, surprising twists and suspenseful scenes, the series reached a new target audience, but was not particularly well received by all fans. This was followed in 2024 by "Masters of the Universe: Revolution", the most recent production in the franchise to date.