Nicholas Galitzine, known for his role in “Idea of You,” is about to undergo a significant transformation. The actor, whose natural hair color is brunette, has been chosen to portray the iconic blond hero, He-Man, in the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Masters of the Universe.”
Directed by Travis Knight, acclaimed for his work on “Bumblebee,” the film is a collaborative effort between Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel. Set to hit theaters on June 5, 2026, fans eagerly anticipate seeing their beloved character brought to life.
The journey of “Masters of the Universe” from concept to screen has been nothing short of tumultuous. Spanning over two decades, the project has traversed various studios, including Warner Bros., Sony, and Netflix. However, setbacks such as budget concerns led to the cancellation of the Netflix iteration in 2023. Since its inception in 2007, numerous directors, including John Stevenson, Jon M. Chu, McG, and Aaron and Adam Nee, have been associated with the project. At one point, discussions centered around Kyle Allen portraying He-Man, though the details of why those talks dissolved remain unclear.
Chris Butler has taken up the mantle of writing the screenplay, following earlier attempts by David Callaham and the Nee brothers. While plot details are closely guarded, the story is expected to follow Prince Adam, also known as He-Man, who arrives on Earth as a child and later returns to his homeland to confront the villainous Skeletor. To defeat this formidable adversary, He-Man must unlock the secrets of his past and embrace his destiny as the universe’s mightiest hero.
“Master of the Universe” will be brought to life by an impressive production team, including Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, alongside Robbie Brenner from Mattel Films. This project is just one of many in development at Mattel Films, spanning a diverse range of genres and featuring notable talents such as Daniel Kaluuya, Jennifer Lopez, Anthony Ramos, Lil Yachty, and Vin Diesel. Notably, Mattel Films’ inaugural success was the billion-dollar grossing “Barbie” film for Warner Bros.
Julie Rapaport, head of film production and development at Amazon MGM Studios, expressed excitement about the project and the casting of Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man. Galitzine’s collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios extends beyond “Masters of the Universe,” having previously starred in “The Idea of You” alongside Anne Hathaway and “Red, White & Royal Blue.” He is also known for his roles in Amazon’s “Cinderella” remake and Netflix’s “Purple Hearts.”
“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,” said Julie Rapaport, head of film production and development at Amazon MGM Studios. “This reintroduction of the character and his universe will be an epic film that will delight audiences from here to Eternia.”
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Galitzine’s talent is represented by a consortium of agencies including the U.K.’s Curtis Brown Group, WME, Anonymous Content, The Lede Company, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole, solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry and setting the stage for his portrayal of the legendary He-Man.
