Amazon MGM Studios has unveiled the first look at its live-action reboot of Masters of the Universe, setting the stage for one of the summer’s biggest releases. The trailer confirms a June 5, 2026, theatrical debut, giving the Mattel franchise a shot at revival after decades of stalled attempts and shelved versions.
The production has been a long time coming. For nearly 20 years, multiple versions of a Masters of the Universe movie cycled through Hollywood, losing directors and writers before landing on its current team. Netflix nearly moved forward with its own version before walking away over costs, leaving Amazon MGM to swoop in. That decision appears to have paid off, as early buzz now suggests strong audience enthusiasm.
Masters of The Universe – Official Teaser Trailer
Filming wrapped in mid-2025 after several months of large-scale production. The budget, reportedly around $170 million, signals that Amazon is betting big on nostalgic properties after the success of Barbie. The movie, led by director Travis Knight of Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee, combines cutting-edge visual design with a focus on recognizable characters. “We wanted to make something bold enough to stand on its own,” one studio insider said.
Chris Butler, known for ParaNorman and Kubo and the Two Strings, wrote the final script, adapting earlier drafts by Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse writer Dave Callaham and The Lost City duo Aaron and Adam Nee. The trailer teases a reimagined story placing ten-year-old Prince Adam on Earth before returning him to defend Eternia against Skeletor, the franchise’s defining villain.
Early test screenings report the film runs just over two hours and blends humor with action. Viewers described the tone as “very comedic,” with most praising its faithfulness to the original character designs from the cartoon series. The pink-shirt Easter egg on He-Man’s costume, a nod to long-running memes, didn’t go unnoticed among fans. Some critics, however, questioned why Nicholas Galitzine did not have the muscle-bound look that defined Dolph Lundgren’s 1987 version and was the embodiment of the original character.
The cast includes Morena Baccarin, Alison Brie, and Hafþór Björnsson, with Jared Leto taking on the role of Skeletor. His involvement, first revealed in late 2024, has drawn mixed reactions due to his polarizing reputation. Analysts say the film’s success may hinge on how well audiences accept Leto’s performance as the central villain.
While unconfirmed, the story appears to draw influence from both the original cartoon and the 1987 film, blending cosmic fantasy with a more grounded Earth setting. The trailer’s visuals show sweeping looks at Castle Grayskull and lush extraterrestrial landscapes, pointing to a full-scale return to Eternia. Knight’s use of bright colors and quick humor invites comparisons to Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy, a clear attempt to attract younger viewers while maintaining appeal for longtime fans.
With marketing already underway and fan interest rising, Amazon is positioning Masters of the Universe as both a crowd-pleaser and a potential franchise launcher. Whether it reaches the same pop-culture heights as Barbie remains to be seen. But for now, He-Man is poised to make a powerful return to theaters this summer. Analysts say the momentum behind nostalgic blockbusters shows no signs of slowing.
English (US) · 