We heard once before that the new live-action He-Man, or Masters of the Universe, movie was D.O.A., but for the last 10 months or so it’s looked liked the film has been on track, with a director attached and more than one writer. However, even though it seems we’ll still see a new, updated version of the trials and tribulations of the muscled hero, it appears it won’t be at Warner Bros.
WB and producer Joel Silver have been developing a new Masters of the Universe for the last couple of years, but Variety is reporting that they and toymaker, Mattel, have parted ways because they weren’t able to see eye-to-eye on the direction the reinvention was going. The story (obviously) revolves around the character of He-Man, who is battling against the evil Skeletor for control over his magical homeland.
The hope/expectation is to still have Kung Fu Panda director, John Stevenson, on-board to helm the project - but it will have to be without producer Joel Silver, as he’s exclusive to WB. No word on whether or not the scripts by either Justin Marks or Evan Daugherty will still be used (the latter was brought in to write another script after the former wrote his). Mattel is shopping the project round at other studios, but since the company wasn’t happy with the direction this new version was going in, I wouldn’t be surprised if a new writer was brought on-board.
No matter where Masters of the Universe lands itself, I hope what we end up with is a no-nonsense, kick-ass version of the story, as opposed to another cheesy version like the 1987 film with Dolph Lundgren. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the original, but that was a movie very much of its time, and another one done in the same vein just wouldn’t work nowadays, IMO. He-Man is a great character, and has potential to shine in a serious, kick-ass film - just look at the guy! Would you wanna’ mess with him?
As for Warner Bros., they still have Mattel’s Hot Wheels to fall back on. I wonder if the two companies will part ways over “disagreement of direction” on that film as well. Seems unlikely… or does it?
What do you think of WB and Mattel parting ways on the new Masters of the Universe? Which studio would you like to see the property end up at?
Frank Langella as Skeletor was the only great thing about the 1987 Masters Of The Universe film. I was 9 when it came out, thought it was dreadful & haven't seen it since.
I liked the first one. I couldv'e lived without the Orco-Lite immitator but I thought it was a good film.
The question is, if this takes off, who should play He-Man?
On annother note, I remember not too long ago, some reference to the fact that He-Man was supposed to be some homosexual metaphor or something like that. A story of a "prince" (who dressed in pink all the time) who went around fearful they find out his "secret". Sure sounds ridiculous now but When I saw it on TV with all these "gay" scenes edited together it sure made sense. LOL
This need to be a reboot. The 80s version was very cheesy. It's good if the audience is children but as an adult, I find it very lacking. The core theme of He-Man is good vs. evil. That's all we need.
I think the new movie should be an action-oriented film with a fantasy, sword and sorcery feel to it. And I do agree that it should take place strictly in Eternia and the worlds in that universe. The now humanoid characters should be fantastic creatures that are believable. I know that the first He-Man movie had a small budget but I would like to see a big screen treatment for this one.
Possible good news for those who would like to see a GOOD live action adaptation of the franchise. The ball seems to still be rolling.
Quote:
Jon M. Chu ("G.I. Joe: Retaliation," "Step Up 2: The Streets") has just begun talks to helm a new live-action take on the classic He-Man Mattel toy line "Masters Of The Universe" at Sony Pictures and Escape Artists says Deadline.
The toys and famous cartoon series follows He-Man, a prince who transforms into a warrior and becomes the last hope for a magical world that has been ravaged by the sinister Skeletor.
The property was previously adapted into a live-action feature in 1987 by Cannon Films with Dolph Lungdren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor.
Attempts have been made over the years to revive it, but the film picked up steam thanks to a script by Alex Litvak and Mike Finch entitled "Grayskull" (that title however can no longer be used).
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing. Chu is in the middle of a 3D conversion on "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" ahead of some reshoots on that film ahead of its release in March next year.
I remember reading a while ago that the leaked portions of the "Grayskull" script were amazing, and akin to a LOTR setting with a gripping story and a great mixture of sci-fi and fantasy.
Oh well, who knows. Even though I loved MOTU as a kid, I never saw the 1987 version, and probably never will. However, I wouldn't mind seeing a more serious take in live action.
Cannon Films initially intended to make a sequel to the 1987 He-Man film Masters of the Universe and a live-action version of 'Spider-Man'. Both projects were planned to shoot simultaneously by Albert Pyun. Cannon, however, was in financial trouble and had to cancel deals with both Mattel and Marvel Entertainment, the owners of He-Man and Spider-Man, respectively. Cannon had already spent $2 million on costumes and sets for both films, and decided to start a new project to recoup the money spent on them. Then Pyun wrote the storyline for Cyborg in one weekend. Pyun had Chuck Norris in mind for the lead, but co-producer Menahem Golan cast Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film was shot for less than $500,000 and was filmed in 24 days.[3]
I remembered reading somewhere that the sequel was supposed to have He-Man and the crew in our universe.......in high school. I can't find the link atm.
Found it. He man was to be a "professional quarterback."
A "Masters of the Universe" sequel was actually written and cast, but was never filmed. Director Albert Pyun proposed to producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus that he would make the sequel and a "Spider-Man" film back to back at De Laurentiis' studio in Wilmington, North Carolina. The sets for the two movies were built, the costumes were made, both films had been fully cast, and the budget for "Masters of the Universe Part 2" was set at $4.5 million. The Mattel toy company also gave their approval to many of the characters that would appear in the sequel. The only known actor cast for the sequel was surfer Laird John Hamilton as He-Man and the only aspect known about the sequel's screenplay was that He-Man would have returned to Earth and was disguised as a professional quarterback. Pyun would also be using the same high school sets for Kevin and Julie later when he would direct "Spider-Man". It is not known, though, if there were any new characters introduced from the "Masters of the Universe" cartoon and/or toy line for the sequel. However, Cannon would be unable to make both the "Masters of the Universe" sequel and "Spider-Man" as Cannon Films would later go out of business.
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He-Man Leaves Warner Bros.
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