Sony's MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE has been in the works for quite some time, and now there's a chance that the project could be headed toward Netflix. Earlier today The Hollywood Reporter released an article claiming that Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman is thinking about selling the project to the streamer as opposed to releasing it in theaters. For the moment, THR says that talks between Sony and Netflix are in the preliminary stages, though if the deal goes through, Sony could be the first major studio to enter into a pact with the top-shelf streaming service.
After what feels like eons, Sony's MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, starring romantic-comedy darling Noah Centineo (TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE) as He-Man, had been slated for a March 2021 theatrical release. Fans of the fantasy franchise we're pumped to hear of He-Man's return to the big screen, though now it seems as if Sony is unsure about gambling on the project's success. Should the film be sold to Netflix, it means that Sony is guaranteed to make money on the feature. However, the sale could also bite the studio in the ass if the movie proves to be a major success. In short, the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE project is quickly becoming a "damned if you do and damned if you don't" endeavor. It's all about quality and confidence, and unfortunately for He-Man and company, Sony is shaky when it comes to gambling on the film's mass appeal. Gotta get those theater-bound dollars, y'all, lest you want to be labeled a cinematic sin.
If you ask me, the move to sell MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE sounds like a good one. After all, the streamer is already the home of SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER, which is poised to launch its fourth season on Netflix this November 5th. What's more is that Netflix also has an animated He-Man series in the works titled MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVELATION with Kevin Smith at the helm. Smith's animated adventures of Prince Adam's exploits is set to be a continuation of the original animated series, which has remained a highlight of pop culture for generations.
He-Man, aka Prince Adam, is the heir to the throne of the planet Eternia. With his magical Power Sword firmly in hand, Prince Adam is able to transform into He-Man in order to defend his kingdom and Castle Grayskull, the source of his powers, from the evil sorcerer Skeletor and his band of cronies. Adam and Aaron Nee (BAND OF ROBBERS) will be helming the film based on a script by Matt Holloway and Art Marcum (MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL). The franchise last arrived the big-screen back in 1987 for MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, which saw Dolph Lundgren (CREED II) playing He-Man and Frank Langella (The Americans) positively slaying his role as Skeletor. The film failed to impress at the box office upon its release, though as the years have gone by, has become a cult classic among fans of the franchise.
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