In a surprising twist, the long-awaited live-action reboot of Masters of the Universe will no longer grace Netflix’s platform. Instead, Mattel is reportedly scouting for a fresh partner to bring the legendary hero, He-Man, back to screens, according to a report by Variety. This decision concludes Netflix’s quest to expand its Masters of the Universe collection, which already includes two animated series.
He-Man, the mythical protector of Eternia, was last seen in live-action form in 1987, with Dolph Lundgren taking the reins. Despite receiving negative reviews, the film has ascended to cult status over time. The concept of reviving this franchise has since lingered in development limbo for nearly 20 years.
Just when the reboot appeared to be gaining momentum, with Kyle Allen selected to don He-Man’s signature harness and the directing duo of The Lost City, Adam and Aaron Nee, confirmed to steer the project, the plug was abruptly pulled. Behind this sudden halt, insiders point to budgetary constraints as the major hurdle. Reportedly, the project had already consumed between $30 and $60 million, a figure deemed excessive by Netflix’s standards.
The Mystery Behind Masters of the Universe’s Cinematic Struggle
To the uninitiated, the challenges encountered in crafting a Masters of the Universe movie may seem puzzling. This franchise, after all, gave birth to a successful multi-season cartoon series in the 1980s, inspired by a handful of action figures. Following this, there have been multiple animated adaptations, a comic series by DC that included a crossover with notable DC characters, and an intersection with the popular ’80s group, Thundercats.
Originally scheduled for production this year, Netflix’s financial woes seem to have heavily influenced the cancellation of the Masters of the Universe reboot. The streaming giant’s shrinking stock price was apparently not strong enough to support a project of this magnitude, which was estimated to cost around $200 million.
According to insiders, Netflix was keen to keep the movie’s budget below $150 million. However, having allegedly spent $30 million in 2019 to acquire the project rights from Sony, Netflix decided to cut its losses, putting a halt to the revival of He-Man and his iconic battle cry, “By the Power of Grayskull!”
The Future of Masters of the Universe
As the dust settles on the cancelled project, all eyes turn to Mattel. The toy company seems determined to find a new home for the Masters of the Universe reboot, possibly driven by the expected success of Barbie, one of their top properties set to hit the screens this year.
Looking ahead, Mattel appears keen to exploit the potential of its various toy lines, hinting at an ambitious plan to establish multiple franchises. Therefore, it is safe to say that while Netflix has bowed out, the future of Masters of the Universe is far from bleak. With an entity like Mattel steering the ship, we may yet see He-Man lift the Power Sword once again.
