Following his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe on both Thor: The Dark World and the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok, screenwriter Christopher Yost is paying a visit to Eternia. According to Variety, Yost will lend his talents to Columbia Pictures’ long-gestating Masters of the Universe movie.
Originally launched as a popular Mattel toy line in 1982, “Masters of the Universe” spawned several animated series (including the female-drive spinoff cartoon series, “She-Ra: Princess of Power”) along with a 1987 live-action film. Directed by Gary Goddard, the first Masters of the Universe movie stars Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, Frank Langella as Skeletor and, in one of her very first big screen roles, a young Courteney Cox as Julie Winston, a teenage character created specifically for the film.
Masters of the Universe follows Prince Adam, who has the ability to transform into a warrior called He-Man. As He-Man, Adam becomes the last hope for a magical land called Eternia, ravaged by technology and the evil Skeletor.
The Masters of the Universe movie has gone through a number of writers and directors in the years it’s been in development, with G.I. Joe: Retaliation director Jon M. Chu the initial choice to helm the live-action project. Our last update on the status of the film came earlier this year, when it was announced that Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2) had completed his own draft of the screenplay. Although no director has signed on, Wadlow was said to be up for the job at one point. Before his take on the script, Pirates of the Caribbean scribe Terry Rossio turned in a draft.
Masters of the Universe is being produced by Sony and Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch.
