Masters of the Universe Live-Action Reboot Sets Theatrical Release Date
The live-action Masters of the Universe reboot is ready to get out of development hell. Amazon MGM has set a release date for the long-gestating movie, which is based on the sword and planet-themed media franchise of the same name that was created by Mattel in 1982.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon MGM has announced that Masters of the Universe will open in theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026. The report also confirms that Travis Knight will be directing the live-action reboot from a script by Chris Butler. Knight, who is perhaps best known for directing the 2018 Transformers spinoff movie, Bumblebee, was previously reported to be in talks for the project back in February.
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The Long Road to a Live-Action Masters of the Universe Reboot
The first live-action Masters of the Universe movie, starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, was released in 1987. A reboot has been in various stages of development since 2007, with the project originally set up at Warner Bros. Pictures. In 2009, MOTU moved to Sony, which tried for over a decade to get the project into production. Noah Centineo (The Recruit) was cast as He-Man for this iteration, with the Nee Brothers set to direct.
After several production delays, Centineo departed MOTU in 2021. The project was then acquired by Netflix in 2022, with the Nee Brothers still attached as directors. Kyle Allen (The Greatest Beer Run Ever) was quickly cast to star as Prince Adam/He-Man; however, in July 2023, the streamer canceled the reboot, leading Mattel Films to look for a new studio to buy the project, which ended up being Amazon MGM, which acquired MOTU that November.
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A synopsis for the live-action reboot has been released and reads as follows: “10-year-old Prince Adam who 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!”
Masters of the Universe’s Popularity Has Increased Thanks to New Animated Shows
Although it began life as a line of Mattel action figures and minicomics, Masters of the Universe achieved widespread popularity following the debut of Filmation’s groundbreaking He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series, which ran for 130 episodes between 1983 and 1985. More than 35 years after its cancellation, Netflix revived MOTU in 2021 with the animated continuation, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, as well as a CG-animated reboot, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The streamer had previously released She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, focusing on the MOTU character, She-Ra. Netflix’s three distinct MOTU animated series have led to a renewed interest in the franchise, which Amazon MGM is surely hoping to capitalize on with the new live-action movie.
Masters of the Universe is scheduled to hit theaters on June 5, 2026.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Masters of the Universe franchise logo
Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the accompanying Masters of the Universe franchise would make their debut in 1982 with Mattel’s release of the original “Masters of the Universe” 5.5-inch action-figure toy line.
First FilmMasters of the UniverseFirst TV ShowHe-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983)Latest TV ShowHe-Man and the Masters of the UniverseTV Show(s)He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983), The New Adventures of He-Man, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, She-Ra: Princess of Power, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe