The long-awaited “Masters of the Universe” movie is one step closer to becoming a reality, with Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films slated the project for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2026.
Travis Knight (“Kubo and the Two Strings,” Bumblebee) is on board to direct the film adaptation of the popular franchise, with Chris Butler penning the script, following initial drafts by David Callaham, Aaron and Adam Nee. The film is produced by Robbie Brenner of Mattel Films, Todd Black of Escape Artists, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch.
According to its official synopsis, Masters of the Universe introduces 10-year-old Prince Adam, who crash-lands on Earth in a spaceship and is separated from his magic sword — the only link to his home on Eternia.
The synopsis explains: “Trapped nearly two decades later, Prince Adam returns 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 secrets of his past and become the man: the most powerful man in the universe!”
Casting for the project has not yet been announced, but the news that “Masters of the Universe” is officially back on track is welcome news for fans of the popular Mattel series, which began in 1982 as a line of action figures, followed by the animated He-Man series “Masters of the Universe” in 1983.
The Amazon MGM/Mattel-backed film comes after a previous (and expensive) live-action adaptation was canceled on Netflix, with the Nee brothers at the helm and Kyle Allen announced in the starring role. In July 2023, diverse It has been exclusively revealed that Netflix is no longer moving forward after nearly $30 million was spent developing the project.
The collapse of the project at Netflix was just a false start for He-Man and his friends, who have been making their way to the big screen since 2007, miscellaneous “It's a long road that goes through two other studios, Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures, and countless writers and directors like Jon M. Chu and McG,” Matt Donnelly explained.
By November, Amazon MGM had its sights set on bringing Barbarian Blonde to the big screen, especially since Courtenay Valenti, the studio's new head of theatrical and streaming films, and Mattel Films had just hit the box office jackpot with a $1.4 dollar. The multi-billion dollar box office success and Oscar buzz for “Barbie.” Valenti was head of production at Warner Bros., where she worked on the film starring and produced by Margot Robbie and directed by Greta Gerwig.
He-Man and Barbie are just the tip of the iceberg for Mattel Films, which has built a strong roster based on the company's dozens of children's toys. Properties in active development include “Barney,” produced by Daniel Kaluuya; “Bob the Builder” starring and produced by Anthony Ramos alongside Jennifer Lopez; “Polly Pocket,” written by Lena Dunham and starring Lily Collins; “Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots” starring Vin Diesel; “American Girl” doll movie; Bad Robot's “Hot Wheels” by JJ Abrams; And the movie Magic 8 Ball with Blumhouse.
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