"Masters of the Universe" Film in Development (Again)

[Aragorn]

Idris Elba is Man-at-Arms.

Idris Elba Set For ‘Masters Of The Universe’

Idris Elba Set For 'Masters Of The Universe'

deadline.com

 

[JD]

Idris Elba is always a good addition to any cast.

 

[Captaindemotion]

I thought this was already confirmed but Jared Leto is now officially Skeletor

Jared Leto Nabs Skeletor Role in ‘Masters of the Universe’ Movie

Sam C. Wilson, Hafthor Bjornsson and Kojo Attah also join the cast of evil characters alongside the already announced Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Rich Watson]

How the f*** does Leto keep getting work? Has he blackmail photos on people?

 

[Captaindemotion]

How the f*** does Leto keep getting work? Has he blackmail photos on people?

Unpopular opinion: I do think he’s a good actor. But he’s definitely a hex on all films he appears in.

 

[JD]

I don't want to imagine what his method for getting into character as Skeletor will be.

 

[Rich Watson]

I don't want to imagine what his method for getting into character as Skeletor will be.

If it involves having the skin cut off his face, it could be worth it after all.

 

[Qonundrum]

The snippet reads as if they're rebooting the 1986 dud only? Being based on a TV show that had nothing to do with Earth, which was one reason why the 1986 flick was a dud (everyone didn't expect the movie to be set on Earth, given the origins everyone were more than familiar with), it's no wonder the film flopped. Cannon had some good ideas but were too myopic in thinking everything had to be on Earth to bring in audiences (and limited by budget, as Superman IV and other films also suffered in the process).

If anything, there's not been a He-Man show since the mid-80s. Maybe switching it to Earth as a primary location might manage to work for those unfamiliar (and those who can overlook the changes), if every reference to the original is flat out dropped outright. In which case, why not just make a new show that has some influences but isn't just a cheap copy job?

 

[Qonundrum]

I'm a little surprised they went with someone who's a relatively unknown up and comer for He-Man, I would think that would be the kind of role they'd want a big A-lister for, to really try to draw in the crowds.

The fun part is, look at movies and TV shows where they couldn't find an A-lister but brought in someone else and became an A-lister as a result. The 1978 Superman film didn't get an A-lister for Supes, so they found some guy and then put every last available spotlight on A-lister Gene Hackman (whose onscreen chemistry with Reeve is phenomenal). But Christopher Reeve was quick to make that role his own. Then there's Doctor Who with the relatively unknown actor Tom Baker and all... to be a fly on the wall when they determine where they want to take a show and who to decide gets the role after all the auditioning...

 

[Danja]

The fun part is, look at movies and TV shows where they couldn't find an A-lister but brought in someone else and became an A-lister as a result. The 1978 Superman film didn't get an A-lister for Supes, so they found some guy and then put every last available spotlight on A-lister Gene Hackman (whose onscreen chemistry with Reeve is phenomenal). But Christopher Reeve was quick to make that role his own.

The problem with bringing in an A-lister is that they bring their baggage from their previous work with them (Sebastian Stan is now going to be forever known as The Winter Soldier).

 

[JD]

Or Donald Trump.

 

[Danja]

Or Donald Trump.

The threats of lawsuits haven't helped.

#StreisandEffect

 

[publiusr]

I don't want to imagine what his method for getting into character as Skeletor will be.

“Stop crying about your problems on the internet—bottle them up and develop a drug habit like an adult!”

Skeletor will be back next week with more bits of wisdom.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

If anything, there's not been a He-Man show since the mid-80s. Maybe switching it to Earth as a primary location might manage to work for those unfamiliar (and those who can overlook the changes), if every reference to the original is flat out dropped outright. In which case, why not just make a new show that has some influences but isn't just a cheap copy job?

I don't understand what you're saying, there was the New Adventures in 1990, the Cartoon Network show in 2002 and the recent revival on Netflix. Regardless, the news of starting with the character on Earth does make me wince.

 

[the G-man]

Or Donald Trump.

Nah. People would have actually had to have watched the Trump movie for that to happen.

 

[the G-man]

The fun part is, look at movies and TV shows where they couldn't find an A-lister but brought in someone else and became an A-lister as a result. The 1978 Superman film didn't get an A-lister for Supes, so they found some guy and then put every last available spotlight on A-lister Gene Hackman (whose onscreen chemistry with Reeve is phenomenal). But Christopher Reeve was quick to make that role his own.

IMO, with these iconic characters, it's often better to NOT have an A-list. Reeve is a perfect example, but so are (just to name a few) Adam West, Lynda Carter, Hugh Jackman, Chris Evans, Hemsworth and even RDJr (yeah, he had BEEN A list, but at the time of Iron Man, his star had really fallen).

 

[JD]

Nah. People would have actually had to have watched the Trump movie for that to happen.

That is true.

 

[Captaindemotion]

IMO, with these iconic characters, it's often better to NOT have an A-list. Reeve is a perfect example, but so are (just to name a few) Adam West, Lynda Carter, Hugh Jackman, Chris Evans, Hemsworth and even RDJr (yeah, he had BEEN A list, but at the time of Iron Man, his star had really fallen).

I’m trying to think who the biggest name (before or at the time of being cast) to play a superhero or similar role was. Affleck as Batman? Maybe R-Patz? Ed Norton or Mark Ruffalo as Hulk?

There’s Will Smith in Suicide Squad but I’m not sure you’d classify Deadshot as iconic.

RDJ was a brilliant bit of casting because he’s always been a fantastic actor anyway, because like Tony Stark he has addiction issues and because he basically made the character his own (my own recollection of comicbook Tony is that he was a bit more dour and stiff than MCU Tony).

Eon have always taken a similar approach to James Bond, though they’re said to have approached the likes of Mel Gibson, Cary Grant and Burt Reynolds in the past.

 

[Danja]

IMO, with these iconic characters, it's often better to NOT have an A-list. Reeve is a perfect example, but so are (just to name a few) Adam West, Lynda Carter, Hugh Jackman, Chris Evans, Hemsworth and even RDJr (yeah, he had BEEN A list, but at the time of Iron Man, his star had really fallen).

RDJ was a brilliant bit of casting because he’s always been a fantastic actor anyway, because like Tony Stark he has addiction issues and because he basically made the character his own (my own recollection of comicbook Tony is that he was a bit more dour and stiff than MCU Tony).

The critics were commenting on Iron Man, "A drug-addicted actor playing an alcoholic billionaire. Who knew they'd bring in a Method actor? "

 

[the G-man]

I’m trying to think who the biggest name (before or at the time of being cast) to play a superhero or similar role was. Affleck as Batman? Maybe R-Patz? Ed Norton or Mark Ruffalo as Hulk?

Affleck, Kilmer (Top Gun, Willow, the Doors and Tombstone) and Clooney (mostly for ER but that alone made him a household name) were all big names at the time they played Batman.

ScarJo was arguably a big name by the time she played Black Widow, having appeared in a couple of Woody Allen movies (including Match Point), the Island, Lost in Translation and the Prestige. Probably bigger than Ruffalo or Norton IMO.