Idris Elba is set to join ‘Masters of the Universe’.
The ‘Luther’ actor is set to play Duncan, Man-At-Arms in the upcoming Travis Knight-directed live action film for Amazon MGM and Mattel Films, Deadline reports. Man-At-Arms is a crucial character in the Masters of the Universe mythology, serving as both a warrior and mentor figure.
Idris will be joining a star-studded cast in the upcoming blockbuster, as Nicholas Galitzine is already on board as He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn. The ensemble cast represents one of the most ambitious casting efforts for a Mattel property adaptation to date.
‘Bumblebee’ helmer Travis is directing from a script by Chris Butler, although exact plot details are yet to be revealed. Butler’s previous writing credits include the Academy Award-nominated “ParaNorman” and “Missing Link,” suggesting a unique creative vision for the project.
‘Masters of the Universe’ was introduced to the world via action figures in 1982 and focused on the battle between the heroic He-Man and the evil Skeletor. The original toy line generated over $2 billion in sales during its peak years in the 1980s.
The animated series ‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ premiered the following year and several other film and TV adaptations have followed since as the franchise is still going strong. The original animated series ran for 130 episodes and became a cultural phenomenon of the 1980s.
The movie is slated for release in June 2026 after enduring a two-decade journey to the big screen. This development timeline makes it one of Hollywood’s longest-gestating major franchise projects.
It was axed by Netflix last year due to budget concerns while directors John Stevenson, Jon M. Chu and McG have all been attached to the project since 2007. Industry insiders estimate the current production budget to be upwards of $200 million, making it one of Amazon’s most significant film investments.
“We’re thrilled to bring the beloved ‘Masters of the Universe’ to life and couldn’t be more excited to announce the immensely talented Nicholas Galitzine as our He-Man,” Julie Rapaport, head of film production and development at Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement following Galitzine’s casting. “Joining forces with director Travis Knight, Mattel, and Escape Artists, this reintroduction of the character and his universe will be an epic film that will delight audiences from here to Eternia.”
The project represents a major milestone in Mattel’s strategic expansion into film production, following the massive success of “Barbie” which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. Industry analysts predict this adaptation could establish another successful franchise for the toy manufacturer.
Elba’s casting as Man-At-Arms continues his impressive streak of high-profile roles, adding to a career that includes performances in “The Wire,” “Thor,” and “Beasts of No Nation.” His involvement is expected to bring gravitas to the warrior character, who serves as a key advisor to He-Man.
Production is scheduled to begin in summer 2024, with filming locations reportedly including New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The film will utilize state-of-the-art visual effects technology to bring the world of Eternia to life, with several major VFX studios already attached to the project.
The announcement has generated significant buzz among fans of the original series and toy line, with social media engagement reaching millions within hours of the news breaking. Fan communities have particularly praised the casting choices and the involvement of Travis Knight, known for his work in both animation and live-action filmmaking.
This adaptation aims to introduce the Masters of the Universe mythology to a new generation while honoring the elements that made the original property so beloved. The creative team has reportedly been working closely with original creators and Mattel to ensure the film maintains the spirit of the source material while bringing a fresh perspective to the story.
