After numerous false starts, Netflix was all set to develop a live-action Masters of the Universe movie early last year, but we recently learned that the latest attempt to adapt the classic '80s animated series had also fallen by the wayside.
However, we'd later learn that Amazon/MGM Studios were in talks to acquire the project, and a director is now on board.
According to Deadline, Bumblebee director Travis Knight is in final talks to helm, with Chris Butler set to rewrite the script from an initial draft by David Callaham. As far as we know, West Side Story actor Kyle Allen is still set to play He-Man, replacing the previously cast Noah Centineo (Black Adam), who parted ways with the film last year.
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch will produce, along with DeVon Franklin.
There have been several different takes on the original premise across multiple scripts since plans for a live-action adaptation were first announced, but last we heard, the story will focus on "an orphan named Adam, who discovers he is a prince destined to be the savior of a faraway land and must quickly learn of his power in order to save his home from the evil Skeletor."
Netflix reportedly spent almost $30 million in development costs over two years working on the project, before deciding to walk away when the budget, originally set for more than $200 million, could not be meaningfully reduced. The Amazon talks are said to be "tenuous," but should things progress, new deals with the Nees will need to be ironed out for a script polish and to direct. A "significant theatrical release" is also being sought.
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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe takes place on Eternia, a planet of magic, myth and fantasy. Its lead character is Prince Adam, the young son of Eternia's rulers, King Randor and Queen Marlena. Whenever Prince Adam holds the Sword of Power aloft and proclaims "By the Power of Grayskull! I have the power!” he is endowed with "fabulous secret powers" and transformed into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. Together with his close allies, Battle Cat (who undergoes a similar transformation from being Adam's cowardly pet tiger Cringer), The Sorceress, Teela, Man-At-Arms and Orko, He-Man uses his powers to defend Eternia from the evil forces of Skeletor. Skeletor's main goal is to conquer the mysterious fortress of Castle Grayskull, from which He-Man draws his powers. If successful, Skeletor would have enough power to rule all of Eternia and possibly the entire universe