One star from 2026’sMasters of the Universejust dispelled a major fear regarding the upcoming film. In 1982, Mattel introduced the world to its line of action figures that eventually led to the 1983 animated series,He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The franchisecenters around He-Man, the alter-ego of Prince Adam, as he and his friends defend Eterniafrom the evil Skeletor.
The series ran for 130 episodes and is very nostalgic for adults who grew up with it. It’s a cheesy cartoon, but it does feature an immersive world filled with memorable characters. The film first received alive-action film adaptation in 1987 starring Dolph Lundgren, but it unfortunately flopped with critics and at the box office.
Almost 40 years later, Amazon MGM Studios is releasing a second film, attempting to revitalize this franchise. It’s hard to get this series right, and there are concerns that this film may not be headed in the right direction. However, one of the film’s stars recently shared a comment that suggests Amazon does know the right approach to take with this series.
Masters Of The Universe Won’t Be Too Serious
Alison Brie debunks speculation regarding the film’s tone
WhileMasters of the Universeis a franchise younger audiences may be less familiar with, the 2026 reboot will attempt to modernize the series for a new generation. The film is directed byKubo and the Two Strings' Travis Knight, andstars Nicholas Galitzine as the legendary He-Man. Joining him in the cast are Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, and Morena Baccarin.
The universe of He-Man is inherently silly, butthere was speculation that the film would depart from the franchise’s more campy tendencies. However, Brie, who is playing Evil-Lyn, seemingly discredited these claims in a recent interview withCollider. When asked if the upcoming reboot would be more campy or serious, Brie gave a vague answer that teased an appropriate tone.
I don’t think they know as much as they think they know. That’s all I’m gonna say.Who said it’s leaning a little more serious?
Brie’s quote suggests that the claims about the film’s serious tone are unfounded. There are still plenty of details that aren’t known about this film, and it’s hard to tell what the tone will be without a trailer. The only image from it so far is a silhouette ofGalitzine in his He-Man outfit.The image resembles Lundgren’s suit from the 1987 film, but it does look akin to the cartoon.
It is a real concern thatMasters of the Universecould take itself too seriously. Some cartoon adaptations, like 2009’sDragonball Evolution, were heavily criticized for trying to be too realistic and not leaning into the more fantastical elements. Brie’s comments are promising and suggest the filmmakers know that audiences are expecting an energetic, corny blockbuster.
Masters Of The Universe Needs To Be Silly & Fun To Work
The reboot needs to lean into what made the cartoon work
The 2026 film is making some changes to theMasters of the Universe. For example, Galitzine’s Prince Adam will start on Earth before returning to his home planet of Eternia and wielding his sword as He-Man. It’s not a major change, but it gives audiences a chance to learn more about this fantastical world with the main character, similar to Harry Potter in a way.
However, what’s more important is that the tone doesn’t change.Masters of the Universeneeds to have the goofy and charming energy that made the cartoon and the line of toys so special for so many kids. To this day, many of the best memes or clips from the show come from its campiest moments. Quotes like “I have the power” can be epic, but are also very corny, even for the 1980s.
There could be a temptation to treat this franchise like the nextLord of the Rings, but that’s tougher to do when there arecharacters named She-Ra, Evil-Lyn, and Man-At-Arms. The performances and designs also play a role in the franchise’s sillier tone. Skeletor isn’t a memorable villain because he’s scary. It’s because he has a high-pitched voice, and a unique design that allows him to stand out.
Fortunately, the film is helmed by Knight,who knows how to adapt cartoon atmospheres for live-action. The opening ofBumblebeerecreated the 1980s style of Transformers more accurately thanany of the Michael Bay filmsdid. It had a lighter tone and more colorful environment than the Bay films, which took a more self-serious approach, despite some of the goofier jokes.
Masters of the Universestarted as a series meant to sell toys. Its bright atmosphere and larger-than-life characters appealed to kids, leading to a successful product. While the nostalgia will connect with adults, the franchise will only last if it sparks interest in a new generation, and that is only possible if the 2026 film embraces what made the animated series so engaging.
