Director Jon M. Chu may “have the power!” and is close to completing the 1980s hot toy double play by directing a live-action G.I. Joe and Masters of the Universe film.
According to THR, Chu is currently negotiating to direct Masters of the Universe for Sony Pictures. The film will be based on the 1980s toy line that revolves around the mythical world of Eternia, its young prince who becomes He-Man with the aid of a powerful sword, and the villain Skeletor who wants to rule Eternia with a bony fist.
It’s been some time since we last heard about the off-and-on Masters of the Universe project. A script titled ‘Grayskull’ is said to have been penned by Alex Litvak and Mike Finch. Whether that is the script Sony is seemingly moving forward with or some modified version of it isn’t entirely clear at this time.
Masters of the Universe was originally adapted for the big screen back in 1987 with Dolph Lundgren starring as He-Man. That film barely resembled the source material both thematically and visually, something legions of fans have been clamoring for over the decades.
Those same fans have helped keep the brand alive at Mattel and are currently purchasing a new online-only toyline based on the original toy’s designs.
Though Chu’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation has yet to arrive in theaters, fans of the long-running toy franchise are applauding Chu’s upholding of the original character and vehicle designs with minimal updating. It stands to reason he would take the same approach with Masters of the Universe, though would probably need a much bigger budget to pull off the fantastical world of Eternia and its many creatures and species.
Source: THR
