Mattel Films, Netflix Partner on ‘Masters of the Universe’ Live-Action Film

The screenplay is written by the Nee Brothers and Dave Callaham.

January 28, 2022

Mattel

Mattel and Netflix announced that they are developing Masters of the Universe, Mattel’s franchise from the 1980s, into a live-action motion picture, expected to begin production in summer 2022.

“We’ve always been inspired by the fantastical world of Eternia,” say Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, producers, in a joint statement. “This movie has been 14 years in the making for us and our partners and we are so excited to tell an entirely new story for ‘Masters of the Universe’ with the Nee Brothers and Dave Callaham for Mattel and Netflix and share it with a global audience.”

The Nee Brothers (“The Lost City,” “Band of Robbers”) co-direct from a screenplay written by the Nees and Callaham (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Wonder Woman 1984”). Kyle Allen (“West Side Story”) will star as Prince Adam/He-Man.

“’Masters of the Universe’ is an iconic property that shaped the imaginations of an entire generation of kids with the message of becoming the best version of

yourself,” says Robbie Brenner, executive producer, Mattel Films. “With our partners at Netflix, we look forward to showing audiences that anything can happen in Eternia. We are continuing to unlock this global franchise in new ways, and we can’t wait to see Kyle battle it out with Skeletor in this epic live-action saga.”

Brenner and Kevin McKeon, vice president, Mattel Films, will lead the project for Mattel Films. Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch (“Being the Ricardos,” “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,” “Fences,” “The Equalizer,” “The Upside”) and DeVon Franklin will produce. The project was formerly in development at Sony.