Amazon's Masters of the Universe Live-Action Gets Exciting Filming Update 1 Year Before Release

The iconic cartoon series and iconic toy line Masters of the Universe is getting a new live-action movie. The film was previously adapted into a live-action film in the 1980s, but will get a new one in 2026.

Masters of the Universe will star Nicholas Galitzine in the leading role as He-Man, and it comes from Amazon MGM Studios. The upcoming adaptation is set to tell the origin story, which can set it up for future installments. One year ahead of the film's release in theaters on June 5, 2026, Masters of the Universe has wrapped filming in the UK, The Knowledge Online reported.

Production on the live-action film began on January 6, 2025. Since filming kicked off in the UK, fans have been treated to several photos from the set. Some of them showed Nicholas Galitzine's blonde hair for He-Man, teased that (at least a part of) the story is set on Earth, and gave a look at some of the characters, as well as some of the sets, one of them depicting the entrance to Castle Grayskull. Amazon MGM also released an official still of He-Man's hands gripping the Power Sword.

Development for Masters of the Universe took several years. The live-action film has been in development for almost two decades, but the production barely started this year. Conversations about a new take on the cartoons started in 2007, when John Woo was reportedly tapped to direct a new He-Man film.

Sony Pictures took over the rights from Warner Bros. in 2009, with Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch involved in the project. Over the years, Wicked's director, Jon M. Chu, was also attached to the project, as well as other filmmakers like Rian Johnson, Andy Muschietti, and Chris Sanders were eyed to direct.

Netflix was expected to produce a new live-action version in January 2022, tapping Kyle Allen as He-Man, with the Nee Brothers and David Callaham penning the script. After a year and a half, Netflix announced in July 2023 that it was canceling the film, with Amazon MGM Studios entering the chat in November 2023. Things went smoothly with Amazon, which tapped Bumblebee's Travis Knight to direct the film, with Chris Butler penning the script.

What to Know About Masters of the Universe

The upcoming Masters of the Universe live-action film will follow Galitzine's Prince Adam/ He-Man, who returns to his home planet, Eternia, to save it from Skeletor after years on Earth. To defeat Skeletor, Adam must confront his past and transform into He-Man, which could help him yield the power he needs to save his world.

Alongside Galitzine, Masters of the Universe also stars Camila Mendes as Teela, Jared Leto as Keletor, Alison Brie as Professor Evelyn Powers/ Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Duncan, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Malcolm/ Fisto.

Masters of the Universe hits theaters on June 5, 2026.

Source: The Knowledge Online