MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Director Travis Knight Says the Movie Will Fully Embrace Its Silly Side
The world of Eternia has always been a strange, colorful, and wonderful place. It’s a land where a hero in furry boots and scantily clad armor fights an evil genius with a skull head. Logic has never really been part of the equation, and that’s exactly why fans love it.
Now, with a brand new big screen version of Masters of the Universe on the way, director Travis Knight wants audiences to know that the movie understands just how wonderfully ridiculous the franchise can be.
In a recent conversation with Empire Magazine, Knight opened up about the tone he’s aiming for and made it clear that the film isn’t trying to pretend this material is serious business.
“There’s an inherent silliness to it, which we are acknowledging and embracing,” Knight said. “I think it’s a virtue, actually. And it’s woven into the script to help some of these things make sense to a modern audience. Like, why would that character have that stupid name? Well, over the course of the movie we show you why.”
That attitude is probably the smartest approach possible. Masters of the Universe began life as a toy line in the early 1980s before turning into cartoons, comics, and eventually a cult classic live action movie.
The mythology is fun, loud, and packed with goofy character names, magical swords, and impossible muscles. Longtime fans know all of that by heart, but the average moviegoer in 2025 might not.
Knight and the creative team seem fully aware of that challenge. The upcoming film reportedly splits its story between modern day Earth and the fantasy realm of Eternia. That setup will give newcomers a way into the universe while still honoring the wild imagination that made the property famous in the first place.
If the movie can laugh with itself instead of pretending the premise is completely normal, it has a much better chance of connecting with a wide audience.
Some diehard fans might hear the word silly and worry the film won’t respect the source material. But Knight has already proven he knows how to handle beloved franchises. His last live action project was Bumblebee, a movie that took the massive Transformers brand and gave it heart, humor, and a genuine love for its roots.
Like Masters of the Universe, Transformers started as a toy and cartoon phenomenon before becoming a major film series. Previous adaptations leaned heavily on spectacle and noise.
When Knight stepped in to direct Bumblebee, he focused on character, story, and nostalgia. He even delivered scenes fans had wanted for years, including classic G1 Transformers battling on Cybertron. It showed he could balance fun entertainment with respect for longtime followers.
If he brings that same energy and understanding to Masters of the Universe, there’s a real chance this movie could surprise people. A project like this needs to be playful, adventurous, and a little strange. Trying to make He Man feel grounded and realistic would miss the point entirely.
The cast Knight has assembled is also packed with interesting talent. Nicholas Galitzine will step into the iconic role of Prince Adam and his heroic alter ego He Man. Jared Leto is taking on the part of the villainous Skeletor. Camila Mendes plays the fierce warrior Teela, Idris Elba appears as the loyal Man at Arms, and Alison Brie brings the scheming Evil Lyn to life.
Hollywood has tried to revive this franchise for years, and many versions have come and gone without ever reaching cameras. With Knight in charge, there finally seems to be a clear vision guiding the project. It seems like he respects the history, understands the tone, and isn’t afraid to admit that a guy named Fisto is a little ridiculous.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see how it all turns out. Masters of the Universe hits theaters on June 5, and if Knight delivers on his promise, audiences could be in for a wild, nostalgic, and happily silly ride.