Nicholas Galitzine Playing He-Man in ‘Masters of the Universe’

‘Bumblebee’s Travis Knight is directing the movie, which will bring Eternia back to the big screen after years of troubled development and studio changes.

(Left) Nicholas Galitzine as 'Hayes Campbell' in 'The Idea of You'. Credit: Alisha Wetherill/Prime. Copyright: © 2022 Amazon Content Services LLC. (Right) 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' 1980's Cartoon. Photo: Filmation Associates.

Preview:

Nicholas Galitzine has won the role of He-Man.
He’ll star in Amazon’s ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie.
Travis Knight is directing.

‘Masters of the Universe’ –– yes, the toy line –– has been something of a white whale to Hollywood of late. Despite success on the small screen via several shows on Netflix, the concept of heroes and villains in a fantastical realm has frustrated more than one studio and a gaggle of writers, directors and stars.

Now, though, it appears Amazon MGM is really, truly getting things going, with ‘Bumblebee’s Travis Knight directing and now Nicholas Galitzine aboard to play central figure He-Man.

Masters of the Universe

Not Yet RatedJun 5th, 2026

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Almost two decades after crashing down to Earth, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet of Eternia against the evil forces of Skeletor.... Read the Plot

What is ‘Masters of the Universe?’

'Masters of the Universe' toys. Photo: Mattel.

For those who didn’t grow up with the toy line, or haven’t seen the Netflix series, here’s a ‘Masters of the Universe’ primer… It’s the story of Prince Adam (the role Galitzine won) and his heroic friends, who must defend the faraway land of Eternia from the machinations of Skeletor and a group of fellow evildoers. At stake is Castle Grayskull and the Power Sword, which transforms Adam into He-Man, helping him fight off the various threats.

A cartoon series called ‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ was launched in 1985 to help sell the action figures, creating a pop culture phenomenon. It was infamously turned into a movie in 1987 starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. That flopped at the box office, which scuttled a planned sequel.

The new live-action version Directors such as ‘Face/Off’s John Woo, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Jon M. Chu and ‘Truth Or Dare’s Jeff Wadlow have been attached at one time or another, but the movie has always fallen apart.

Netflix was actually the most recent company to try, hiring directing siblings Adam and Aaron Nee, the duo behind 2015’s indie movie ‘Band of Robbers’ and 2022’s ‘The Lost City’, who were also attached to a Sony attempt, working on the script with ‘Man Of Steel’s David S. Goyer.

What’s the story for the new ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie?

'Masters of the Universe' toys. Photo: Mattel.

Knight is working from a new draft of the script by Chris Butler –– to whom he’s already connected, as Butler has written or directed several animated movies produced by Knight’s Laika stop-motion animation studio.

The new movie reportedly revolves around 9-year-old Prince Adam crashing to Earth in a spaceship and being separated from his Magical Sword –– the only link to his home on Eternia.

After tracking it down almost two decades later, 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 first will need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.

Here’s what Amazon MGM Studios head of film production and development Julie Rapaport said about the new development:

“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. 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.”

Nicholas Galitzine: Career So Far

Nicholas Galitzine stars in 'The Idea of You'.

Galitzine has become something of an Amazon staple, appearing in Prime Video series ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’, and, more recently in the company’s romantic drama ‘The Idea of You’ opposite Anne Hathaway.

He’s also been seen in the likes of ‘Mary & George’, ‘Bottoms’, ‘Purple Hearts’, ‘The Craft Legacy’, ‘The Beat Beneath My Feet’ and the 2021 adaptation of ‘Cinderella’, which starred Camila Cabello.