After years in development hell, the beloved 80s animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe may finally get a live-action adaptation courtesy of Amazon’s MGM Studios. The project has seen multiple false starts at studios like Netflix, but the rights are now being eyed by Amazon to bring the Power of Grayskull to life.
He-Man follows Prince Adam, who transforms into the mighty hero He-Man to defend the kingdom of Eternia from the evil wizard Skeletor. The property became a global phenomenon in the 1980s with its animated series Masters of the Universe and accompanying toy line from Mattel.
Amazon is currently in early talks to develop the live-action Masters of the Universe film that was previously in the works at Netflix. The streaming giant has been developing the project since 2020 with director Adam and Aaron Nee (The Lost City) attached. Though Netflix abandoned the adaptation in mid-2022 for budget concerns, Amazon sees franchise potential in reviving the beloved children’s classic.
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Kyle Allen, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, remains attached to play the lead role of Prince Adam and his superpowered alter ego, He-Man. The orphan hero discovers he is prophesied to save the kingdom of Eternia as the champion He-Man.
If the project moves forward at Amazon, the Nees would likely stay on to polish their script and direct. The studio is also aiming for a significant theatrical release to bring He-Man back to the big screen for the first time since the 1987 film starring Dolph Lundgren. That film was a box office disappointment, but special effects technology has advanced considerably since.
Netflix struggled with mounting costs that ballooned over $200 million during two years of development. Bringing Eternia and its colorful characters like He-Man and Skeletor to life with modern visual effects is a pricey endeavor. Despite efforts to scale down the budget, Netflix was unwilling to move forward.
Now, Masters of the Universe finally has a second chance on the screen thanks to Amazon recognizing the built-in audience of He-Man fans eager to see their childhood hero in live action. As one of the most iconic franchises of the 80s, He-Man has multi-generational appeal like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers. Combined with Amazon’s resources, Masters of the Universe can tap into that nostalgia on a grand scale if done right.
The showrunners of the recent animated series Masters of the Universe: Revelation faced harsh backlash from fans who felt the show strayed too far from the spirit of the original. Amazon will need to thread the needle between updating He-Man for modern audiences while respecting the franchise’s roots. That likely means striking the right balance between drama and campiness.
With epic scope, kid-friendly action, and messages of heroism, Masters of the Universe is a strong IP. It just needs the right studio to give Prince Adam the blockbuster treatment he deserves. After many false starts, Amazon now has the opportunity to unleash He-Man’s Power. The fate of Eternia rests in their hands.
How do you think this project will fare? Success or flop? Put a message in the comments!
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