MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (2026)

“I have the power!”

An iconic phrase that has resonated through pop culture for over 4 decades belonging to He-Man, Protector of Eternia and the Guardian of the Secrets of Castle Grayskull.

Throughout the evolving life of the Masters of the Universe franchise, its core messaging of good triumphing over evil to maintain balance in the natural/magical order has always been present. This messaging hasn’t changed even with the partial reinvention of the story by the new film’s writers and director, Travis Knight.

“I’ve known these characters, I’ve loved these characters for pretty much my entire life,” going on to emphasis that “[w]hen we started visualizing this world, we wanted to do right by the fans.”

Historically though, even small changes in the Masters of the Universe story (and other franchises alike) have been met with hard pushback. This was seen online when a prequel 4 issue comic book mini-series was launched prior to Masters of the Universe: Revelation (of the same name) by Kevin Smith wherein King Grayskull, an ancient ancestor of Prince Adam (He-Man) and the first wielder of the Sword of Power, was depicted as being Black. Toxic fandom reared its ugly head to this story element with fans going off online about the lineage of the masters being partially Black – including He-Man.

It was later revealed through the animated Revelation storyline that King Grayskull, and all masters who have fallen defending Eternia and the secrets of Castle Grayskull, go on to exist forever within Preternia as a final reward in the form of their choosing. So even though previous stories have depicted King Grayskull as White (or White appearing) he chose his final form as Black, which seemed to calm down some fans, but angered others for whatever new reasons they could voice in online forums and social media platforms.

Comparatively, with the changes in the history of Adam/He-Man’s character evolution in the new film alongside Duncas/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) being Black and Teela (Camila Mendes) being Latina there will likely be some feathers ruffled over them as well. But, in the evolution of storytelling and making stories more relatable to audiences (new and old alike) sometimes these changes can be done in ways that enhance a character’s core traits.

Since Adam/He-Man’s real acts of heroism are not shown through god-like physical prowess and brute force, but through his more human traits of understanding, empathy, and humanity; Adam’s new backstory and having lived on Earth (in the original canon he had only lived in Eternia) highlights and brings more attention to what Masters of the Universe has always shown as his greatest strengths, ultimately making the character more accessible and relatable (and allowing for more comedic moments when he returns to Eternia). Knight says that with these backstory changes they’re ” … honouring what came before, but making it new” and He-Man still ” … feels like the most powerful man in the universe.”

This Masters of the Universe (2026) film follows Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) whose parents exiled him to Earth during a devastating attack on the city of Eternos by Skeletor (Jared Leto). After living on Earth for 15 years, Adam returns with the Sword of Power to the destroyed city where with the help of Teela (Camila Mendes), and their friends, Adam must embrace his destiny as He-Man to overcome Skeletor and the forces of evil to save Eternia.

With great actor chemistry (including a surprise cameo) and performances directed by Travis Knight, Masters of the Universe (2026), celebrates an iconic fan-approved return to the big screen with a magical world of adventure, comedy, and the evolutionary journey of becoming a hero.

Note:
Make sure to stay for both post-credits scenes.
Amazon MGM Studios releases the film Masters of the Universe (2026) theatrically in Canada and the USA June 5th, 2026.

Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) wields the Sword of Power in Masters of the Universe (2026).
Film Still: Amazon MGM Studios © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC