‘Masters of the Universe’ drops first look at He-Man, but fans are more interested in roasting Skeletor (a.k.a. Jared Leto)

After teasing the prospect of a live-action Masters of the Universe, the movie has finally blessed us with its first official photo. The new film features Nicholas Galitzine as the hulking He-Man and is being helmed by Travis Knight.

Amazon MGM Studios pulled back the curtain, showing Galitzine in costume, Power Sword held to his chest.

The sword itself keeps its traditional shape, although it's been weathered over. Galitzine's face, though, is coyly hidden—clearly, the studio has learned how to leave fans wondering if he'll give them a brooding glare or a princely pout.

Now, our dear viewers don’t let anything slide without a roast or two. Gotta make sure it’s well-cooked before serving, right? Most of the smoke this time was reserved for Jared Leto, who is bringing Skeletor to life.

A user commented:

"Who keeps giving Jared Leto jobs??"

Another declared:

"Stop casting Jared Leto."

A user humorously asked:

"Why is Jared Leto allowed to continually ruin childhood characters?"

One more user said:

"What does Jared Leto have on these people that he keeps getting hired?"

A user reacted with a meme for, you guessed it, Jared Leto:

Meanwhile, a user declared:

"Welp it's ruined because they casted Jared Leto"

From criticism of destroying child characters to conspiracy theories surrounding the way he keeps getting hired, the internet stands in agreement about one thing—starting an anti Jared Leto club.

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Plot and setting of Masters of the Universe

Scheduled to thunder into theaters on June 5, 2026, this Masters of the Universe remakes the epic with a winking twist.

It tracks Prince Adam, the Eternian prince who takes an impromptu journey to Earth as a kid, growing up unaware of his fate as protector of a distant kingdom.

Separated from his enchanting Power Sword, he will have to take it back and go home to Eternia to defeat Skeletor, the skeletal overlord who is hell-bent on wanting doom.

It opens with Prince Adam, who's 10, flying a spacecraft directly into the atmosphere of Earth—a crash-and-burn entry that severs him from his Power Sword, the mystical bridge to He-Man.

Twenty years afterwards, Adam discovers the sword and, in a single fateful clasp, is transported to Eternia. There he takes on the role of He-Man, wrestling with a life he never opted for and a future that demands a hero.

As He-Man, Adam must battle Skeletor, whose armies are intent on reducing Eternia to just a myth.

It's a battle imbued with identity issues, power struggles, and the age-old struggle between good and evil.

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Setting: Terrestrial exile, Eternian epic

Earth: Adam's early life takes place on our humble world, where he blissfully remains unaware of his galactic heritage. This earthly experience makes him an outsider in the everyday world, setting him up for the glory that awaits him.

Eternia: Most of the drama unfolds on this magical world, a world of ancient magic and hushed rumors. Castle Grayskull towers over it all, an iconic fortress of foreboding, grounding the story in franchise history.

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Cast and crew

Camila Mendes plays the tough-as-nails Teela, Morena Baccarin plays the mysterious Sorceress, Jared Leto plays the deliriously evil Skeletor, and Idris Elba plays Duncan/Man-at-Arms, bringing his trademark gravitas to the party.

Travis Knight, off the success of his Bumblebee, helms with a shrewd touch for bringing classic relics back without mummifying them in mawkishness.

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Production and release

Production began in January 2025, with a June 5, 2026 release date set—a co-production with Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films.

It's a strategic gamble to revive He-Man for the modern age, indicating that even a hero born in the '80s can still show his resilience.