Masters Of The Universe Reboot Movie Finds New Directors

A new movie based on the classic '80s toyline and cartoon Masters of the Universe has been in the works for several years, with a variety of directors and screenwriters attached. Following the news in February that DC veteran David S. Goyer would no longer direct it, Variety now reports that indie duo Aaron and Adam Nee have joined the project.

The Nee brothers are known for acclaimed indie dramas such as The Last Romantic and Band of Robbers. They are the latest in a line of independent filmmakers who have been hired by studios to helm high-profile movies in recent years. Directors such as Taika Waititi (Thor Ragnarok), Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World), and Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Star Wars: Rogue One) all made smaller, low-budget movies before making the jump to big-budget blockbusters.

Masters of the Universe is currently set for a December 2019 release. Although Goyer is no longer directing, Variety notes that Sony is still using his script, and he will also act as an executive producer. Terminator: Salvation director McG was briefly attached to the movie in 2016, and in August 2015, it was reported that Thor writer Christopher Yost was working on a draft of the script.

Mattel launched the Masters of the Universe toy line in 1982, creating a mythology about the conflict between good and evil on the planet of Eternia. A cartoon based on the property, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, ran for two years, in addition to a comic book series, a spin-off animation called She-Ra: Princess of Power, and a number of video games.

In 1987, Cannon Films produced a live-action movie version, starring Dolph Lundgren as muscle-bound hero He-Man. By that point, however, the popularity of Masters of the Universe was in decline, and the toys were discontinued the following year. Subsequent attempts to revive the franchise included a new toy line and a short-lived second animated series in the early 2000s.