Though it’s generally regarded as a terrible, terrible movie, I have a deep, undying love for the 1987, Cannon Films-produced, Dolph Lundgren-starring Masters of the Universe. Hell, along with that "Dancing in the Dark" video and a two-episode stint on Murder, She Wrote, it’s at least partially responsible for introducing us all to Courtney Cox. A new big screen version of the once popular He-Man franchise has been in the works for what feels like forever, never getting off the ground, but it looks like it’s rolling along and may have even found a director, McG.
According to a report from Deadline, McG is currently in talks with Sony and Escape Artist to take the helm of the live-action Masters of the Universe, which has reportedly become a priority for the studio. If a deal winds up being struck, it won’t be the director’s, who’s real name is Joseph McGinty Nichol, first action rodeo, as he has movies like Charlie’s Angels, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and 3 Days to Kill under his belt.
Should he take the lead, the Terminator: Salvation helmer will also supervise a rewrite of the script. Alex Litvak and Mike Finch—who collaborated on 2010’s Predators, so they’re not newbies when it comes to revisiting previous cinematic territory—are currently hammering out a draft. Aside from this, there aren’t a ton of details available about the new Masters of the Universe.
First showing up as a popular 1980s toy line, He-Man and his cronies like She-Ran, Man-At-Arms, Teela, and Battle Cat, eventually became a hugely popular property. They went on to star in comic books, multiple animated series, and more, including the ill-fated 1987 live-action movie. He-Man is the star of the show, and he’s the alter ego of the fair-haired Prince Adam. Along with his pals, they have to protect the world of Eternia and the secrets of Castle Grayskull from the nefarious Skeletor and his minions, like Beastman and Evil-Lyn.
In a perfect world, a big screen Masters of the Universe could be a big, sweeping fantasy epic. With movies like Warcraft and Gods of Egypt on the horizon, this concept definitely has some merit, and, especially when coupled with generations of name recognition, it’s easy to see why Sony might be bullish on the project. There is, as we’ve also seen before, the potential to devolve into total cheese. We’re curious to see how this pans out.
We’ll have to wait and watch Masters of the Universe develop, but it sounds like the studio is down to give this the old college try, and they certainly appear to be moving right along.
