In exciting news for fans of the iconic 80s franchise, it seems that the long-awaited live action adaptation of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe may finally be gaining some momentum. According to Deadline, director Travis Knight, known for his work on Bumblebee, is currently in final negotiations to helm the project.
After being abruptly cancelled by Netflix last year, Amazon MGM Studios has stepped in and is now in talks to acquire the rights to bring He-Man and the Masters of the Universe to the big screen. While the deal has yet to be finalized, Knight is said to be the leading choice to take the director's seat.
Travis Knight brings a unique blend of experience in both live action and animation to the table. As the CEO of the renowned animation studio Laika, Knight has been involved in the production of acclaimed films such as Kubo and the Two Strings, ParaNorman, and Missing Link. Additionally, he successfully ventured into live action with the well-received Transformers spin-off, Bumblebee, in 2018.
The script for the live action Masters of the Universe film is currently undergoing a rewrite by Chris Butler, a long-time collaborator of Knight's. The screenplay was originally penned by David Callaham and the directing duo Adam and Aaron Nee.
Interestingly, the previous creative team drew parallels between their vision for the film and Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok, emphasizing a balance between a thrilling adventure and a lighthearted tone. While it remains to be seen whether this approach will be maintained, it could prove to be a fitting direction for the beloved He-Man property.
Fans may recall that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was previously adapted into a live action film in 1987, featuring action star Dolph Lundgren in the role of the titular hero. Lundgren even expressed interest in returning to the franchise, albeit with certain conditions.
As we eagerly await further updates on the live action Masters of the Universe project, Travis Knight is set to direct the upcoming stop-motion fantasy film Wildwood, scheduled for release in 2025.
With Knight's experience in creating visually stunning and engaging stories, along with the renewed interest in the franchise, it seems like the Masters of the Universe live action adaptation is finally on track to bring the beloved characters and epic adventures to a whole new generation of fans. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as the project progresses.
