Idris Elba Joins 'Masters of the Universe' as Man-at-Arms; Film Set for 2026 Release
November 23, 2024In the lore, Duncan is a veteran warrior and the father of Teela, tasked by King Randor to form the elite strike force known as the Masters of the Universe.
Elba's recent projects also include voicing Knuckles in 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' and starring in the upcoming action-comedy 'Heads of State' alongside John Cena and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Elba is represented by several agencies, including WME and The Artists Partnership, underscoring his prominence in the industry.
Idris Elba has officially joined the cast of the upcoming 'Masters of the Universe' film, set to play Duncan, also known as Man-at-Arms, a pivotal character who trained Prince Adam, the alter ego of He-Man.
Directed by Travis Knight, the film is scheduled for release in theaters on June 5, 2026.
This project is a co-production between Escape Artists and Mattel, highlighting a significant collaboration in the entertainment industry.
The 1987 live-action adaptation of 'Masters of the Universe' was a notorious failure, creating a daunting legacy for this reboot.
The screenplay is crafted by Chris Butler, with production led by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner, and Steve Tisch.
The cast also includes Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, with Jared Leto rumored to play Skeletor, though this is unconfirmed.
Elba's casting is viewed as a major asset, given his established presence in action and fantasy genres, including his role as Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The film has been in development for several years, with a history of challenges due to the franchise's decline in popularity and mixed receptions of previous adaptations.
Despite the positive casting news, the reboot faces hurdles stemming from the franchise's long decline and the reception of recent adaptations, such as Netflix's 'Master Of The Universe: Revelation'.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources
Gizmodo • Nov 23, 2024
Idris Elba May Join the He-Man Movie, Cuz Of Course He WillThe Hollywood Reporter • Nov 23, 2024
‘Masters of the Universe’: Idris Elba in Talks to Play Man-at-Arms for Amazon MGMDeadline • Nov 23, 2024
Idris Elba Set For ‘Masters Of The Universe’ComicBook.com • Nov 23, 2024
Masters of the Universe Live-Action Movie Eyes Idris Elba to Play Fan-Favorite Character