Blondes, Barbarians, and Blockbusters: The Long-Awaited Journey of He-Man to the Big Screen

Nicholas Galitzine has been tapped to play He-Man, the iconic blonde barbarian, in the upcoming film adaptation of “Masters of the Universe.” The dark-haired “Idea of You” actor will don the iconic blonde locks and muscular physique to bring Prince Adam to life on the big screen. The film is directed by Travis Knight for Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel, set to hit theaters on June 5, 2026.

The production history of the film has been tumultuous, with numerous directors and actors attached and detached over the years. The project was originally set up at Warner Bros. and Sony, before moving to Netflix, which dropped it due to budget concerns in 2023. Directors John Stevenson, Jon M. Chu, McG, and Aaron and Adam Nee have all been attached to the project since 2007, while Kyle Allen was once in talks to play He-Man.

The film revolves around Prince Adam, who must travel back to his home on Eternia to defend it from the evil Skeletor. Chris Butler is currently writing the screenplay, following earlier attempts by David Callaham and the Nee brothers.

Julie Rapaport, head of film production and development at Amazon MGM Studios, expressed her excitement about the project: “We’re thrilled to bring the beloved ‘Masters of the Universe’ to life and couldn’t be more excited to announce the incredibly talented Nicholas Galitzine as our He-Man. This reintroduction of the character and his universe will be an epic film that will captivate audiences from here to Eternia.”

Galitzine’s collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios continues, following his recent roles in “The Idea of You” and the upcoming sequel. He also appeared in the studio’s “Red, White & Royal Blue” adaptation and “Cinderella” remake.

The film is one of fifteen live-action movies in development at Mattel Films, which includes other projects such as “Barney,” “Bob the Builder,” “Uno,” and “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.” Mattel’s cinematic debut was the billion-dollar blockbuster “Barbie” for Warner Bros..

Galitzine’s role in the film comes after an almost two-decade-long journey to get the project onto the big screen. The film’s director, Travis Knight, is known for his work on “Kubo and the Two Strings” and “Bumblebee.” The film is being produced by Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, alongside Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner.

The film’s release date is set for June 5, 2026, and fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the beloved character He-Man to the big screen.