Quick hands up.  Does anyone thing this is actually happening?  No?  Didn’t think so.

But at any rate, Terry Rossio, who co-wrote the box office bomb ‘The Lone Ranger’ (that’s promising) is now attached to script a movie based on ‘Masters of the Universe‘ the 80s toy line which was the basis for a hit animated series and both animated and live-action movies.

The film is being produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tische.  At one point, the movie was going to be entitled ‘Greyskull’ based on Castle Greyskull, one of the signature locations from the original series and the toy line’s major playset.  In the original continuity, Castle Greyskull housed all the magic on the world of Eternia and villain Skeletor was determined to break into its stone walls.

‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation‘ director John M. Chu was at one point signed to direct, but is no longer attached.  (Which, honestly, after seeing ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ is no big loss.)  The Dolph Lundgren-starring live action movie from the 80s, sent the heroes and villains to Earth, but the new movie is supposed to be set entirely on the fictional planet Eternia.  The franchise is currently being reintroduced in DC Comics.

If you’re unfamiliar, ‘Masters of the Universe’ reinvented the concept of action figures in the early 80s.  Set in the magical world of Eternia, the series followed the exploits of He-Man “The Most Powerful Man In The Universe” along with his allies Man-At-Arms, Teela, Orko and others, as they combated cackling fiend Skeletor and his henchmen, Beast Man, Mer-Man and Evil Lyn.  The line was so popular that a girl-friendly spin-off line, “She-Ra: Princess Of Power” was released, both as a toy line and a cartoon series.

Unfortunately, this film has been in “development hell’ for years.  There have been numerous scripts written and several directors attached.  The “swords and sorcery” genre is a tough sell and it’s been so many years that I don’t honestly believe the ‘Masters of the Universe’ name carries enough cache to guarantee an audience.  ‘G.I. Joe’ is arguably a more popular brand and both movies in that franchise just fared okay.  (And just personally, I’d say skip Masters and go straight to She-Ra.)

So, I suppose this movie may happen.  Perhaps.  But I’ll believe it when I see it.

Source THR