After years of development, a live-action adaptation of the beloved 1980s franchise “Masters of the Universe” is finally poised to hit theaters this June. Ahead of its release, Empire Magazine has offered an extensive look behind the scenes of the Amazon MGM Studios production, revealing director Travis Knight’s approach to balancing nostalgia with modern sensibilities.
Knight, known for his work on the animated film “Kubo and the Two Strings” and the live-action “Bumblebee,” is acutely aware of the franchise’s origins as both a toy line and a cartoon. He’s embracing what he calls the “inherent silliness” of the source material, rather than attempting to strip it away. “There’s an inherent silliness to it, which we are acknowledging and embracing,” Knight told the magazine. “I think it’s a virtue, actually. And it’s woven into the script to help some of these things make sense to a modern audience. Like, why would that character have that stupid name? Well, over the course of the movie we show you why.”
This approach signals a departure from previous attempts to adapt “Masters of the Universe” for the big screen, which often struggled to find the right tone. Knight’s willingness to lean into the campy elements that defined the original cartoon and toy line suggests a self-aware sensibility that could appeal to both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.
Central to the film’s success is the casting of Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man. Knight emphasized that he wasn’t solely focused on finding an actor with a physique that matched the cartoon’s exaggerated proportions. “I wasn’t looking for a body. I was looking for a soul,” he explained. “There’s a duality there: Adam essentially represents empathy, He-Man represents strength.” Galitzine himself acknowledged the challenge of preparing for the role, stating, “I think anyone seeing that iconic physique would find it extremely daunting. Even the animations put Arnold Schwarzenegger to shame: the proportions, the minuscule waist, the boulder shoulders… I had four or five months to get in shape. Truly, it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.” Despite the physical demands, Galitzine found the experience of wearing the He-Man costume empowering.
The film also boasts a strong supporting cast, including Jared Leto as Skeletor, Idris Elba as Duncan/Man-At-Arms, Camilla Mendes as Teela, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress, James Purefoy, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Kojo Attah and Kristen Wiig. Knight described Leto’s take on Skeletor as a nuanced portrayal, noting that the actor “wanted to swing for the fences” and craft his own interpretation of the iconic villain’s distinctive voice and personality. He added, “Skeletor’s kind of the embodiment of toxic masculinity.”
Idris Elba, who grew up with the “Masters of the Universe” franchise, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, recalling that the cartoons were “a really big part” of his childhood. He appreciated Knight’s commitment to honoring the aesthetic of the original series. “The cartoons were always a little bit more fun, a bit more camp, a bit more out-there,” Elba said. “Travis, who’s an incredible director, wanted to pay homage to the aesthetic of the original. I was all for that.”
The decision to embrace the inherent silliness of “Masters of the Universe” is a strategic one, particularly in an era where audiences are increasingly receptive to self-aware and playful blockbusters. The success of films like “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “The Suicide Squad” demonstrates that audiences are willing to embrace quirky characters and unconventional storylines, provided they are executed with sincerity and a clear understanding of the source material. Knight’s background in animation, particularly his work at Laika, suggests he possesses the artistic sensibility to navigate this delicate balance.
The film’s release on will be a significant test for Amazon MGM Studios, as they seek to establish themselves as a major player in the blockbuster arena. “Masters of the Universe” represents a high-profile adaptation of a beloved intellectual property, and its performance at the box office will likely influence the studio’s future strategy regarding franchise filmmaking.
