Art Marcum and Matt Holloway are reported to be in final negotiations to pen the script for Columbia Pictures’ ‘Masters of the Universe’ film, based on the titanic 1980s toy line. Aaron and Adam Nee signed on to direct last spring. The twin brothers previous co-wrote and co-directed the indie comedy ‘Band of Robbers’. David S. Goyer (Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’) and Christopher L. Yost (‘Thor: Ragnarok’) penned previous drafts of the ‘Masters of the Universe’ screenplay, with Goyer planning to direct. Marcum and Holloway penned the script for the upcoming ‘Men in Black: International’ as well as ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’, and ‘Iron Man’.
‘Masters of the Universe’ focuses on Prince Adam from the alien planet Eternia, who possesses the mighty Power Sword which can transform him into He-Man, Eternia’s superhuman defender. Goyer’s script reportedly also included such favorite characters as Man-At-Arms, Teela, Orko, Stratos and Zodak , plus villains Skeletor, Beast Man, Evil-Lyn, and Trap Jaw.
In 1987, Cannon Films adapted the property into a live-action movie starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, Frank Langella as Skeletor, Jon Cypher as Man-At-Arms, Chelsea Field as Teela, Tony Carroll as Beast Man and Meg Foster as Evil-Lyn. Of course, more fondly remembered is the long-running Filmation cartoon ‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’, the first animated series aired to supplement a popular toy line.
This new ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie is still scheduled to be released on December 20 of this year, but considering that the script is now going back to the drawing board, that most likely won’t happen.
Mattel made the original ‘Master of the Universe’ toys. Notably this past week, news emerged that the long-in-development ‘Barbie’ movie, based on Mattel’s flagship toy, is moving forward at Warner Brothers, with Margot Robbie set to star.
A live-action update of ‘Masters of the Universe’ has been in the works for decades. This news may indicate that it may actually come to fruition. But don’t get your hopes up just yet.
Source: Deadline
