Following the huge success of his Prime Video rom-coms The Idea of You and Red, White & Royal Blue, Nicholas Galitzine is staying in business with Amazon MGM, as he’s been tapped to star as He-Man in the live-action Masters of the Universe flick from the studio and Mattel Films.
While long-awaited, details as to the film’s plot are under wraps. Based on the iconic franchise from Mattel, it’ll be directed by Travis Knight, who is working from a script by Chris Butler. David Callaham, Aaron Nee and Adam Nee worked on an earlier draft.
Masters of the Universe will be produced by Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, as well as Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner. Previously in development at Sony and Netflix, the film will be released exclusively in theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026.
Centering on the battle between the heroic He-Man (aka Prince Adam of Eternia) — the universe’s most powerful man — and the evil Skeletor, the Masters of the Universe franchise was introduced by way of a line of popular action figures in 1982. A year later, the animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe premiered, becoming one of the first children’s programs to be syndicated on television during its two-season run. Several other film and television adaptations followed, and today the franchise continues to span such consumer touchpoints as toys and video games.
“We’re thrilled to bring the beloved Masters of the Universe to life and couldn’t be more excited to announce the immensely talented Nicholas Galitzine as our He-Man,” said Julie Rapaport, head of film production and development at Amazon MGM Studios. “Joining forces with director Travis Knight, Mattel, and Escape Artists, this reintroduction of the character and his universe will be an epic film that will delight audiences from here to Eternia.”
Added Mattel Films’ President, Robbie Brenner, “Mattel Films is proud to work with Amazon and team up again with the incredible Courtenay Valenti, to bring Masters of the Universe to the big screen. We are thrilled to be producing alongside the highly respected and prolific Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, with the visionary Travis Knight, and the charismatic and talented Nicholas Galitzine, our Prince Adam/He-Man!”
A fast-rising star, Galitzine was most recently seen starring opposite Anne Hathaway in Prime Video’s highly acclaimed rom-com The Idea of You, directed by Michael Showalter. Based on the novel by Robinne Lee, the film recently garnered the streamer’s No. 1 rom-com debut of all time, attracting nearly 50 million worldwide viewers in its first two weeks on Prime Video. Also recently starring opposite Julianne Moore and Tony Curran in Starz’s historical drama Mary & George, the actor prior to that starred in Amazon MGM’s highly popular queer rom-com Red, White & Royal Blue, for which a sequel is currently in development.
The company behind last year’s Oscar-winning phenomenon Barbie, Mattel Films is also currently mining its IP through development on such live action features as American Girl, Hot Wheels, Bob the Builder, Magic 8 Ball, Matchbox, Major Matt Mason, Polly Pocket, Barney, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone. Additionally, it’s in development at the moment on Christmas Balloon, a holiday family drama based on all-new IP.
Galitzine is represented by the UK’s Curtis Brown Group, WME, Anonymous Content, Gang, Tyre, Ramer, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.