+34
The 'Masters of the Universe' franchise has come a long way since Dolph Lundgren's 1987 live-action movie. From its poor reception to the success of the new iteration, the franchise has undergone significant changes, with new actors and new storylines.
The 'Masters of the Universe' franchise has come a long way since Dolph Lundgren's 1987 live-action movie. The film, which saw He-Man take the fight from Eternia to Earth, was a box-office bomb earning $17.3 million on a $22 million budget.
Despite its poor reception, the movie had plans to become a franchise with a post-credits scene teasing a follow-up that never materialized. The project was well into development, with sets built and costumes designed for a sequel that would see Skeletor turn Earth into a and He-Man forced to return and put things right.
However, following the film's poor reception and a decline in sales of Mattel's flagship toy line, all key parties exited, including Dolph Lundgren himself, leaving Cannon in trouble. According to Gary Goddard, Mattel saw the script or perhaps the storyboards and pulled the license.
As a result, Cannon redirected everything that had been made for the doomed sequel to a brand-new film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. The new film, 'Cyborg,' was released in 1989 and became a cult classic, spawning a trilogy. By the early '90s, both Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme had carved out a decent place in the action genre, leading them to face off in the sci-fi action movie 'Universal Soldier,' which became a franchise of its own, too.
Fast forward to now, and the new iteration of 'Masters of the Universe' has received a very different response, with initial reactions praising not only Nicholas Galitzine's He-Man but also Jared Leto's take on Skeletor. Perhaps this time, if Skeletor promises to be back, he actually might stay true to his word
Scratch the next story
Masters Of The Universe Dolph Lundgren Jean-Claude Van Damme Nicholas Galitzine Jared Leto
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Masters of the Universe Film Takes a Fresh Approach to the Iconic FranchiseThe new Masters of the Universe film is taking a fresh approach to the iconic franchise and one of its most recognizable faces, He-Man. Director Travis Knight explained in an interview with GamesRadar that the new film won't strictly follow any origins of the character, who has been rewritten countless times across comics, movies, and more. The film is set to premiere in theaters on June 5, 2026, and fans are eagerly awaiting its premiere.
Read more »
Original 1989 Masters of the Universe Film Streams on Prime Video Ahead of 2026 RebootThe 1989 live-action Masters of the Universe movie is set to debut on Prime Video on June 1, 2026, just days before the release of the franchise's 2026 reboot on June 5. This strategic streaming release allows audiences to easily watch the original adaptation, providing context for the new film and enabling comparisons between the two takes on the beloved He-Man saga. The original film, which has garnered mixed reviews with a 21% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, offers a nostalgic yet campy interpretation of the 1980s cartoon, while the upcoming reboot aims to modernize the story for contemporary viewers. This dual release highlights the enduring legacy of the franchise and invites fans to revisit the past before embracing its future.
Read more »
Masters of the Universe Reboot Sparks Debate Over Eternia's Logic and StyleThe upcoming Masters of the Universe film has fans excited but also questioning the planet Eternia's design, from impractical clothing to dangerous architecture and technological contradictions. A closer look at the world-building debate.
Read more »
Masters of the Universe's Director Reveals the Secret to Cracking a Movie That Nobody Could Get MadeMasters of the Universe's director Travis Knight has revealed the secret to cracking a movie that nobody could get made. In a recent interview, he stated that viewers should not expect a coherent continuity in his project.
Read more »