MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Plot Details Reportedly Sees He-Man Go From Working a Boring Office Job to Eternian Hero
The live-action Masters of the Universe reboot from Amazon MGM and Mattel seems like it’s going to take He-Man’s origin in an entirely new direction, and fans may find the changes either interesting or polarizing.
If the rumored plot details are accurate, this upcoming film will reimagine Prince Adam not as the Eternian hero fans know, but as a regular guy on Earth, marking a huge departure from established lore.
According to scooper Daniel Richtman, the film introduces Adam as an ordinary man, working "a boring office job" in the “real world.”
The Masters of the Universe stories, as per this concept, are merely tales Adam heard as a little kid. This twist aligns with a rumored synopsis previously released:
“10-year-old Prince Adam who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword—the only link to his home on Eternia.
“After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor.
“But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe!”
This reimagining would be the first time Prince Adam is portrayed as growing up on Earth before returning to Eternia, though the 1987 Dolph Lundgren movie also included significant Earth-based storytelling.
While this approach could create a relatable “stranger in a strange land” dynamic, it might not sit well with long-time fans of the franchise. For many, the idea of He-Man’s backstory being rooted in Eternia is central to his character.
Steering away from this lore may alienate fans who prefer the classic mythos, even as it is looking to draw in new audiences with a more grounded narrative.
Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue) will take on the role of Prince Adam/He-Man, with Camila Mendes (Riverdale) as Teela and Alison Brie (Community) as Evil-Lyn.
Idris Elba (Luther) has been cast as Man-At-Arms, while Jared Leto (Blade Runner 2049) will portray the iconic villain Skeletor.
Bumblebee director Travis Knight directing the film from a script, rewritten by Chris Butler (ParaNorman), builds on an earlier draft by David Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, and DeVon Franklin are producing.
Reimagining a beloved character like He-Man is always risky. While the rumored changes aim to modernize the story and make Adam more relatable to general audiences, they could hurt the awesomeness and mystique of Eternia’s lore that fans love about the franchise.
I’m worried about this movie, but I hope that Knight manages to deliver a film that fans will love. Hopefully, these reports on the plot are not true.
Would you embrace this fresh take on He-Man, or do you believe the character should stay true to his Eternian roots?
Masters of the Universe is set to hit theaters on June 5, 2026.