LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oscar winner Jared Leto will transform into the iconic villain Skeletor for the upcoming “Masters of the Universe” film, headlining an expanding cast of heroes and villains in Mattel’s latest franchise adaptation.
The movie, scheduled for release on June 5, 2026, will be directed by Travis Knight, known for “Bumblebee” and the upcoming stop-motion feature “Wildwood.” Mattel Films announced Wednesday that several key antagonist roles have also been filled.
“House of the Dragon” star Sam C. Wilson will portray Trap Jaw, while “The Beekeeper” actor Kojo Attah takes on the role of Tri-Klops. Former “Game of Thrones” actor and strongman competitor Hafthor Bjornsson has been cast as Goat Man, rounding out Skeletor’s forces of evil.
The villainous ensemble will face off against an already-announced heroic cast including Alison Brie (“Promising Young Woman”) as Evil-Lyn, Camila Mendes (“Riverdale”) as the warrior Teela, and Idris Elba (“Hijack”) as Teela’s father, Man-at-Arms. The crucial role of He-Man remains under wraps.
For Leto, the role of Skeletor continues his streak of portraying memorable antagonists in major studio productions. His villain portfolio includes a punk rock version of the Joker in 2016’s “Suicide Squad,” a menacing corporate titan in 2017’s “Blade Runner 2049,” and the conflicted anti-hero in 2022’s “Morbius.”
The film’s production team has been tight-lipped about plot details, but industry sources suggest the movie may heavily utilize motion-capture CGI for its fantastical characters. This would mark a significant departure from the 1987 live-action adaptation, which relied on practical effects and makeup to transform Frank Langella into Skeletor opposite Dolph Lundgren’s He-Man.
“Masters of the Universe” began as a successful line of Mattel action figures in 1982, quickly spawning the beloved animated series “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” in 1983. The franchise has maintained a dedicated following through various iterations over the decades.
The screenplay’s latest draft comes from Chris Butler (“ParaNorman”), following earlier versions by David Callaham and the writing team of Aaron and Adam Nee. Escape Artists joins Mattel Films in producing the adaptation.
While waiting to don Skeletor’s hood, Leto will next appear in Disney’s “Tron: Ares” alongside Evan Peters and Greta Lee.
The casting announcement signals Mattel’s continued push into feature films following the massive success of “Barbie.” The company aims to replicate that achievement by bringing another of its classic properties to the big screen with high-profile talent both in front of and behind the camera.
