While Columbia Pictures Masters of the Universe film continues to search for a director after David S. Goyer (who wrote a treatment for the film) passed on the gig, weve scored some details on the films plot and which of the cast of characters we can expect to see when the film hits theaters next year!
The films central plot puts an interesting twist on the 1986 mini-comics series that revealed a familial relationship between Prince Adam and Skeletor. In the comics, Skeletor was once a man named Keldor, the brother of Adams father, King Randor. Our source has indicated to us that in the upcoming film, King Randor will be presented as the great warrior-king of Eternia, a descendant of the Grayskulls, and the father of two sons: Adam and Keldor! As the film begins, Keldor is the chosen heir to the throne and his brother, Adam, is young, unfit and a bit of a black sheep. Where Adams relationship with his father is strained, Keldor is the epitome of a perfect son, beloved by his father
until the fate of Eternia is put on the line. With his kingdom on the line, Randor puts his people first, betraying Keldor, inciting the series of events that leads to him becoming the iconic Skeletor!
The film will follow the meek and uncertain Adam as he assembles a group of heroes to take on his fallen brother and his collection of cronies. As you might expect, some familiar faces will be joining Adam in the fight. Below are those weve been told to expect:
DUNCAN/MAN-AT-ARMS
King Randors loyal weaponeer, Duncan is knowledgeable not only about all things weapon-related, but will also serve as a main source of exposition due to his knowledge of Eternias history. It seems reasonable to expect hell know a thing or two about the Power Sword, should Adam find some reason to go looking for it.
ZODAK
This version of Zodak was described as the Kings Minister of Technology and his right hand man. In the comics, Zodak was an immortal Eternian, having lived through the prehistoric war of the Ancients and the Snake Men, giving him some unique, if not biased, perspective. It seems that we can expect him to serve more of a mentor role to Adam here, described to us as a bit of an Obi-Wan type.
TEELA:
Man-at-Arms daughter, Teela is Adams best friend and, as you might expect, the two will develop a romantic relationship. In canon, Teela was Captain of Eternias Royal Guard and we know that shell serve in the military in the film as well.
ORKO:
One of the He-Mans most loyal allies, Okra was also one of the most interesting additions to the line. Developed to add some comedy to the 80s animated series, Orko became a key member of the group and his attempts at using the magic his people, the Trollans, were known for often ended badly. In the film Orko will be reimagined as a small man whose self-doubt holds him back from being a reasonably mediocre wizard.
STRATOS:
Nicknamed the Angel of Death, Stratos is the leader of the Sky Guards of the Iron Gate Prison on Avion where Skeletor and his crew are imprisoned at one point.
Speaking of Skeletors cronies, heres a look at who we were told to expect to see line up along Skeletor as he searches for the Havoc Staff!
BEAST MAN:
Possibly Skeletors most well-known and beloved (if its possible to love a bad guy) henchman, Beast Man, the first action figure developed for the line by Mattel, is in! Always a savage and powerful foe, this iteration of Beast Man will bring a little something different to the table: hes a shapeshifter with the ability to turn into any type of beast, making him a useful spy for Skeletor as well as a formidable fighter. No word on if hell find himself trapped in the slime pit
again.
EVIL LYN:
A powerful and intelligent witch, Evil Lyn is the femme fatale of the film. She will use her power to help Skeletor reconstruct the Havok Staff and, probably, try to betray him and take power for herself. Shes always been open with Skeletor about hoping to rule Eternia for herself, so bringing that tenuous alliance to the big screen would provide some interesting opportunities.
TRAP JAW:
Part man, part machine with razor sharp jaws, Trap Jaw is a pretty interesting choice and seems pretty disposable. The cyborgs interchangeable parts make him interesting, but what we all really want to know is will we see him slide down a wire via the cool helmet loop?!!
With a proposed budget of over $100M, this film seems ready to go all out in an effort to reestablish the Masters of the Universe as a pop culture icon. With a mythology and cast of characters as deep and well-established as this, we hope that they find the right director to bring these characters to the big screen and kick off what could be one hell of a franchise!
