Nicholas Galitzine will play He-Man in the long-planned big-screen adaptation of Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe first hit TV screens as an animated show in the 1980s. It was based on a series of toys by Mattel. It spawned a live-action movie in 1987 starring Dolph Lundgren. 

A new live-action version has apparently been in the works for the past two decades, according to Variety. Warners and Sony initially wanted to make the movie, before handing it over to Netflix. The streamer dropped the project in 2023 over budgetary concerns. It’s now being produced by Amazon MGM for a theatrical release in 2026. 

Toymaker Mattel is co-producing the movie through its Mattel Films division. It’s one of many projects the company is pursuing following the blockbuster success of its first major foray into movie-making last year: Barbie

Besides Masters of the Universe, Mattel Films is also developing big-screen versions of American Girl, Hot Wheels, Bob the Builder, Magic 8 Ball, Matchbox, Major Matt Mason, Polly Pocket, Barney, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone.

Nicholas Galitzine
Nicholas Galitzine (Photo: Shutterstock)

Nicholas Galitzine

British actor Galitzine, 29, is well-known to LGBTQ+ movie fans for playing queer in several of his past projects. These include British royal Prince Henry in Red, White & Royal Blue. He also King James VI and I’s gay lover, George Villiers, in Sky Atlantic’s limited series Mary & George.

More recently, he played opposite Anne Hathaway in the hit Prime Video romance, The Idea Of You. Besides the upcoming role as He-Man, it was recently announced that he and Taylor Zakhar Perez will be reuniting to film a Red, White & Royal Blue sequel

“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,” said Julie Rapaport, head of film production and development at Amazon MGM Studios. 

“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.”

Masters of the Universe is slated for release on June 5, 2026.