Netflix's Masters of the Universe Film - Official Discussion

[Dynaman]

Knowing my script will never get picked up by the powers that be at Netflix, sure! Here's some basic concepts.

I like the idea of Adam being the court fop, or at least perceived as such. Act 1 of the movie is introducing us to Eternia, the Evil Warriors, and the elite soldiers of King Randor. Skeletor is just emerging as a threat, and Adam, as son of the king, is essentially given a softball assignment along with his faithful pet Cringer to show that the royals are taking the threat seriously. However, this softball assignment has his unit wiped out by the Evil Warriors, although Adam manages to escape and find the Sword of Power.

I've seen several scripts where the mentor figure for Adam varies, one had Battle Cat as the mentor, the other had Teela following him around the whole time. I saw the guardians of Grayskull as a duo, the Sorceress, and because the toy is out, Sun-Man as her loyal retainer/guardian of the sword. The Sorceress and Sun-Man can also form a sort of good cop/bad cop routine with the Power of Grayskull, where the Sorceress believes Adam has what it takes to be the hero of Eternia, while Sun-Man is more grizzled and cynical, having seen others with the Power either fail to live up to what was expected of them or in one particular case, be corrupted by it (potential sequel hook for King Hiss or the Horde). However, Sun-Man eventually warms to Adam's courage and genuine desire to do good, particularly after seeing him go out as He-Man and eschew slaying Evil Warriors to help innocents.

Act 3 is Skeletor taking notice of this new thorn in his side and after laying a trap for He-Man to find the secret of his power, discovers Castle Grayskull to be the source of unfathomable power. Sun-Man...I don't want to kill him, because I want to avoid the trope of killing the black dude first, but I would have something put him out of commission for the final battle, maybe even capturing and torturing him to find Grayskull itself and learn the fabulous secrets that it has. That final battle would be He-Man joining with the other Masters to battle the Evil Warriors, including our big He-Man/Skeletor duel. He-Man wins, and the movie ends with him revealing that he's Adam as Eternia is safe. Roll credits with a post-credit scene of Skeletor vowing revenge, or one of the villains that desired the Power revealing themselves as next to menace Eternia.

This is all a very, VERY rough idea of an outline mind you. But I like the idea of playing with the original concepts of the old series (Adam as the court fop and seen as kind of a loser by his dad, the burden of the Power, previous guardians of Eternia, etc). And I like the idea of giving Sun-Man a major role as a sort of mentor/senior figure.

[Ornclown]

Well, I DON'T agree with it. He-Man is Masters of the Universe, and it is getting pretty damn ridiculous how many people want to deny that and just brush He-Man aside. Yeah, He-Man is supported by other characters because that is what they are, SUPPORTING characters. He-Man was still created to be the main character of the franchise. Unlike some other people, He-Man is still my favourite character and I want him to stay the main character.

Also, the power of Grayskull is supposed to be something special. That fact that some want everyone to have it only strips it of its importance and just makes it boring.

I think a big reason that projects like the Netflix Masters of the Universe are so well-received is because the Power of Grayskull is shared among a group of friends.

When there is a group of characters (e.g. Teen Titans, Avengers, X-Men, Ghostbusters, TMNT, etc.) and not just one "main" character, it gives fans more ways to relate to the property... MasterS of the Universe included.


Luke Skywalker was arguably the "main" character in the OG Star Wars trilogy, but I was always a Han Solo fan myself...

[Bear]

I feel like many modern media favors team shows over solo heroes exactly for this reason.

[zodak74]

Does anyone have thoughts on how you would do a MOTU movie?

Yes. I wouldn't
In all seriousness though, I've often sided with the argument in my head that I'd rather not see a live action film only because I don't think it's going to turn out very good. I'd rather there just be an ongoing animated series, where Eternia can really come to life, rather than being hamstrung by film budgets, poor casting choices, lackluster cinematography, sloppy direction, lousy effects, etc. etc. Yes I know these things can happen with animation as well, but MOTU has a better track record in cartoon format than live action. I guess I really don't want to see another '87 movie (as much as I enjoy it for what it is today).

[LionMom]

Yes. I wouldn't
In all seriousness though, I've often sided with the argument in my head that I'd rather not see a live action film only because I don't think it's going to turn out very good. I'd rather there just be an ongoing animated series, where Eternia can really come to life, rather than being hamstrung by film budgets, poor casting choices, lackluster cinematography, sloppy direction, lousy effects, etc. etc. Yes I know these things can happen with animation as well, but MOTU has a better track record in cartoon format than live action. I guess I really don't want to see another '87 movie (as much as I enjoy it for what it is today).

Sony did a great job with Into the Spider verse. Its animated. Its awesome. On par with any MCU movie, better than a whole lot of them, actually. I'd be good with live action or animation. They are both valid movies in my book.

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I hope the thumbnail shows this time. I stumbled on this and I've tried to link it several time. I really feel like its well worth the time. I don't know who this guy is, but this simple concept that draws from some of the best parts of He Man versions would work great. It starts with 200x's pilot, reworks it in ways that makes sense and ends in a reworking of The Dragons Gift. Sorry Granamyr fans, but that dragon had an attitude anyway. I'd pay to see He Man slay a dragon on the big screen. And I really like that he doesn't let He Man win until the end. It makes Skeletor a real threat, and it makes He Man/Adam more compelling because he has to earn his power and earn the wins. No mention of Teelas parentage. But to make anything new work, you have to focus on fewer things, to keep the story from being too convoluted. I think he hits the right balance. Does anyone want to check this out and say what you think?

[VZX]

Well that was....something. It sure was a thing.

[LionMom]

Well that was....something. It sure was a thing.

Okay, then. I thought it was a thing that might be appealing to a general audience of adults and kids without being too much for one and not the other.

[Dice]

The world of MOTU has SO MANY incredible characters, locations, histories, and myths that extend way beyond He-Man, or start long before Adam ever picked up the Sword.

Even during his reign as Protector, He-Man is supported by awesome characters who all have a story worth telling.

I realize there is a certain section of the MOTU fandom that longs to hear more of the story of Eternia and eats it up as fast as someone else can make it up. But the basic foundation of this line was laid a long time ago, and He-man has always been the center of it and always will be for most fans.

Well, I DON'T agree with it. He-Man is Masters of the Universe, and it is getting pretty damn ridiculous how many people want to deny that and just brush He-Man aside. Yeah, He-Man is supported by other characters because that is what they are, SUPPORTING characters. He-Man was still created to be the main character of the franchise. Unlike some other people, He-Man is still my favourite character and I want him to stay the main character.

Also, the power of Grayskull is supposed to be something special. That fact that some want everyone to have it only strips it of its importance and just makes it boring.

Completely agree. What's the point of He-man if he's just some person in a long list of people that "had the power"? Heck, just let anyone have the power that wants it, that'd be great writing.

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I think a big reason that projects like the Netflix Masters of the Universe are so well-received is because the Power of Grayskull is shared among a group of friends.

When there is a group of characters (e.g. Teen Titans, Avengers, X-Men, Ghostbusters, TMNT, etc.) and not just one "main" character, it gives fans more ways to relate to the property... MasterS of the Universe included.


Luke Skywalker was arguably the "main" character in the OG Star Wars trilogy, but I was always a Han Solo fan myself...

I believe the Netflix show is popular because it clearly ISN'T trying to be the original. It's a whole new world, based off the original and fans can appreciate that. It's not made for us. It's made for a new generation of fans. Old fans can appreciate that and still enjoy it.

MOTU also already has a group of characters. It doesn't need "new" characters (in my opinion at least). You name all these groups that have a core list of characters. How well do they do when you move away from that core list? Imagine a "new" ninja turtles show with 5 new turtles!! How many existing fans would cheer?

[OwenMorton]

MOTU also already has a group of characters. It doesn't need "new" characters (in my opinion at least). You name all these groups that have a core list of characters. How well do they do when you move away from that core list? Imagine a "new" ninja turtles show with 5 new turtles!! How many existing fans would cheer?

While I do actually agree that by and large I want to see He-Man in MOTU media, just for the sake of being contrarian - how about Star Trek? Fans of the original didn't exactly cheer in 1986 (or thereabouts) when TNG was announced, but you'll find few Star Trek fans renouncing it now. Just because right now we maybe can't imagine MOTU without He-Man, it doesn't automatically mean it wouldn't work.

[Dice]

While I do actually agree that by and large I want to see He-Man in MOTU media, just for the sake of being contrarian - how about Star Trek? Fans of the original didn't exactly cheer in 1986 (or thereabouts) when TNG was announced, but you'll find few Star Trek fans renouncing it now. Just because right now we maybe can't imagine MOTU without He-Man, it doesn't automatically mean it wouldn't work.

That's actually a good example of something "new" based on the old. We didn't throw Picard in as the new Captain of a ship opposite Kirk. It's a whole new era, with all new characters. It created new fans (myself) that, only after watching it, had any interest in the original.

The biggest advantage MOTU has is that it's animated/ageless. You don't have to worry about He-man getting old and not being able to play the part anymore.

[Durendal]

I feel like many modern media favors team shows over solo heroes exactly for this reason.

That reflects how our culture has changed in the last 40 years. Now everyone gets a medal just for showing up. Those with exceptional abilities get downplayed.

That being said however, the way He-Man was portrayed in Filmation was just ridiculously overpowered. The other heroic warriors were completely redundant and served no purpose.

[Dice]

That being said however, the way He-Man was portrayed in Filmation was just ridiculously overpowered. The other heroic warriors were completely redundant and served no purpose.

Absolutely. But in the case of Filmation, it was (IMO) necessary to make it a kid friendly show. He-man was able to solve any problem with patience and the least amount of violence possible. I think that worked very well for kids.

Personally I was really hoping Revelations would change that. Bump up the playing field by making the Evil Warriors and the Masters much more dangerous and powerful.

[zodak74]

Fun MOTU tidbit from the director of Kids Vs. Aliens:

https://bloody-disgusting.com/interv...niverse-movie/

[LionMom]

Absolutely. But in the case of Filmation, it was (IMO) necessary to make it a kid friendly show. He-man was able to solve any problem with patience and the least amount of violence possible. I think that worked very well for kids.

Personally I was really hoping Revelations would change that. Bump up the playing field by making the Evil Warriors and the Masters much more dangerous and powerful.

Well, on paper anyway, they did. They made the villains more and more powerful. And then the hero more powerful. And then the new villian more powerful. And the scope got so ridiculous instead of raising the stakes it just got ridiculous. At least, I just disengaged. Its hard to get power escalation right and not lose the audience when there aren't any internal rules and no real internal logic for the power system in a fantasy world. Having limits, power ceilings and incorporating character arcs, character growth help make a story more grounded. I think that's why all these radically different newer versions like CGI and Netflix She Ra just kind of made their own completely different worlds. So they could do world building, and write it so that the protagonists had challenges to overcome. That's the problem when your main character is the "most powerful man in the universe". Theres only so many " epic, final" battles with Skeletor he can win before the audience doesn't care. So, writing, good writing, kinda matters.

[Dice]

Well, on paper anyway, they did. They made the villains more and more powerful. And then the hero more powerful. And then the new villian more powerful. And the scope got so ridiculous instead of raising the stakes it just got ridiculous. At least, I just disengaged. Its hard to get power escalation right and not lose the audience when there aren't any internal rules and no real internal logic for the power system in a fantasy world. Having limits, power ceilings and incorporating character arcs, character growth help make a story more grounded. I think that's why all these radically different newer versions like CGI and Netflix She Ra just kind of made their own completely different worlds. So they could do world building, and write it so that the protagonists had challenges to overcome. That's the problem when your main character is the "most powerful man in the universe". Theres only so many " epic, final" battles with Skeletor he can win before the audience doesn't care. So, writing, good writing, kinda matters.

I understand what you're saying but I'm talking more ALL the villains. Not just Skeletor and Evil-Lyn. He-man is supposed to be doing battle against a wide array of Evil Warriors. Warriors powerful enough and competent enough that it takes He-man with the power of Grayskull to stop them. That was the "sell" of the toys. And the heroic Masters were supposed to be somewhat matches to those same warriors in skill and strength.

Revelation basically made the villains a joke and showcased 2 Heroic warriors along with an all new character.

I'm of the opinion (and realize everyone deserves their own version of their imagination) that MOTU is about powerful warriors doing battle for ancient occult types secrets and power. I'm not really a fan of these all powerful magical "gods" they gave us in revelation.

[Durendal]

Revelation basically made the villains a joke and showcased 2 Heroic warriors along with an all new character.

One wonders why He-Man is even necessary when Teela and her combat in-experienced friend were able to overcome Tri-Klops, Trap Jaw, Whiplash, Blast Attak and 2 dozen druids with relative ease.

[LionMom]

I understand what you're saying but I'm talking more ALL the villains. Not just Skeletor and Evil-Lyn. He-man is supposed to be doing battle against a wide array of Evil Warriors. Warriors powerful enough and competent enough that it takes He-man with the power of Grayskull to stop them. That was the "sell" of the toys. And the heroic Masters were supposed to be somewhat matches to those same warriors in skill and strength.

Revelation basically made the villains a joke and showcased 2 Heroic warriors along with an all new character.

I'm of the opinion (and realize everyone deserves their own version of their imagination) that MOTU is about powerful warriors doing battle for ancient occult types secrets and power. I'm not really a fan of these all powerful magical "gods" they gave us in revelation.

The mini comics were slim, but they did have clever world building. And using Black star as the template for the Filmation kept those mystical, sword n sorcery, barbarian vibes in the cartoon, as restricted as they were. Y'know, I kinda wish they had thought to do what No Way Home did with Tom Holland's Spiderman. Imagine- Revelation He-Man's secret gets exposed because somebody from an alternate universe knows it. 200x He man, Viking He Man, whatever, show up. Anti Eternia He Man shows up and villains from every comic book and cartoon and the movie. And the only way to put the universe right is Adam agreeing to let the sorceress erase his Adam identity from this universe. End of the show, He Man opens his eyes in a hut in a village in the jungle with the tribe that's taken him in....

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OMG I had to share this! I feel kinda bad about it, because I know AI is using other peoples art, but wow this is so on the nose, right?

[baileyrecords]

OMG I had to share this! I feel kinda bad about it, because I know AI is using other peoples art, but wow this is so on the nose, right? https://youtu.be/u2FL5ApUWkA

Um, no thank you to any of these designs. Horrible!

[Ornclown]

While I do actually agree that by and large I want to see He-Man in MOTU media, just for the sake of being contrarian - how about Star Trek? Fans of the original didn't exactly cheer in 1986 (or thereabouts) when TNG was announced, but you'll find few Star Trek fans renouncing it now.

This is another good example.

Kirk would be considered the "main" character of Star Trek TOG, but Spock, Bones, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, etc. were just as interesting (and important) - if not more so.

Just because right now we maybe can't imagine MOTU without He-Man, it doesn't automatically mean it wouldn't work.

I would love to see a "Preternia" MOTU series where a character like Vikor or Wun-Dar takes on the mantle of Protector...

Also, let's not forget that Mattel was about to pull a "TNG" on us with their Powers of Grayskull line.

Here, He-Ro would have been the Picard to He-Man's Kirk.

[Dice]

One wonders why He-Man is even necessary when Teela and her combat in-experienced friend were able to overcome Tri-Klops, Trap Jaw, Whiplash, Blast Attak and 2 dozen druids with relative ease.

Oh my gosh, yes. This killed the show for me.

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This is another good example.

Kirk would be considered the "main" character of Star Trek TOG, but Spock, Bones, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, etc. were just as interesting (and important) - if not more so.

Sure. But imagine if Star Trek 2 had come out and Sulu had been the main character. Kirk, Spock, and Bones were still there but Sulu and the new ensign Scrappy Doo were the main two characters. Would the fans be OK with that? How about a movie where the Enterprise is secondary to the SS Botany Bay?

I would love to see a "Preternia" MOTU series where a character like Vikor or Wun-Dar takes on the mantle of Protector...

Also, let's not forget that Mattel was about to pull a "TNG" on us with their Powers of Grayskull line.

Here, He-Ro would have been the Picard to He-Man's Kirk.

They could easily get away with this. Most fans wouldn't care as it doesn't directly dispute with their current vision of the MOTU world.

[Val-Or]

This is another good example.

Kirk would be considered the "main" character of Star Trek TOG, but Spock, Bones, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, etc. were just as interesting (and important) - if not more so.



I would love to see a "Preternia" MOTU series where a character like Vikor or Wun-Dar takes on the mantle of Protector...

Also, let's not forget that Mattel was about to pull a "TNG" on us with their Powers of Grayskull line.

Here, He-Ro would have been the Picard to He-Man's Kirk.

The supporting characters were never as important as Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Scotty. These four were the best actors and their characters were the most critical to ship operations and narrative. That’s why several other characters also filled the role of helmsman, navigator, and comm officer. That’s not a slight to the actors, but it’s nevertheless the truth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LionMom]

Um, no thank you to any of these designs. Horrible!

Filmation accurate, or even box art and mini comic accurate, actually done in the 80s and set on Eternia----trust me, I was a kid in the 1980s. This is on the nose what we would have got. We didn't have CGI. That would have been our Orko, if they had done Orko. Its Dark Crystal, Beast master & Krull, all mixed up together. I think this settles any remaining questions as to the changes made for the 1987 movie, doesn't it?

[Tallstar]

Kyle Allen posted a clip of himself training on his Instagram stories.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0SfGnpql_/

[Tallstar]

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Start at 11:56

[ehenyo]

Netflix just restructured their movie divisions and will make fewer films. No news on MOTU.