He-Man to Flex for Warner Bros.

Thursday, May 24, 2007
By: Ryan Ball

Warner Bros. and Matrix producer Joel Silver have confirmed rumors that they are conspiring to craft another live-action feature film based on the ’80s Filmmation cartoon and Mattel toy property He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. According to Daily Variety, the script is being written by Justin Marks, who is also crafting a screenplay for the upcoming 2008 movie based on the ’80s animated action show Voltron and writing the Green Arrow superhero movie Supermax for Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. and Silver reportedly want to make their film like the recent hit 300, employing green-screen filming and CG visual effects to create the world of Eternia, where warrior He-Man rises to protect the people against the wicked plans of Skeletor. Mattel still has to approve the plan, but chances are that the toymaker will strike while the iron is hot. With DreamWorks’ and Michael Bay’s adaptation of the Transformers animated series and toyline coming out this summer and Voltron on the way for next year, ’80s cartoon nostalgia could end up being big business at the box office.

The adventures of Prince Adam and his muscle-bound alter-ego was first adapted for the big screen in 1987 with Dolph Lundgren in the lead role. The pic bombed at the box office, taking in just $4.8 million on opening weekend and grossing $17.3 million domestically. Fox 2000 and director John Woo recently took a shot at the property, but their plans were reportedly vetoed by Mattel.

Silver is currently adapting the classic anime series Speed Racer for the screen through his Silver Pictures, with Matrix creators Larry and Andy Wachowski set to direct. Emile Hirsch (Alpha Dog) is tapped to drive the Mach 5 in the title role for that movie, but no actor has yet been cast to play He-Man.

Reader Comments

• 80\'s Child :

  Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Voltron! No way?! Better be the lions! Thundercats ho!

• Tito :

  Friday, May 25, 2007

  Sounds Good, About time they got round to making another Masters movie, hopefully they don\'t screw up, can\'t wait to see He-Man, Skeletor, Orko, Evil-Lyn and Sexy Teela!
  
  ThunderCats may not work on the big screen though, He-Man has way more potential - The Horde, Snakemen, Skeletor\'s Forces, She-Ra, He-Man in the Future, The Powers of Grayskull - all these can easily be made in 5-6 movies (if done correctly)

• Danny Miller : PharmD, RPh : CVS Pharmacy

  Tuesday, July 17, 2007

  WOW, 300 meets Lord of the Rings. That\'s my vision anyway. If done right, this could be huge. I was born in \'81 and loved watching Masters of the Universe, Transformers, GI Joe, and oh yes Hulk Hogan\'s Rockin Wrestling (remember that one). Eighties cartoons had testicular fortitude unlike these girly boy cartoons that are on today. With the special effects technology of today just imagine how magnificient Castle Grayskull would look or how dark and freakish Snake Mountain would be. Note to Joel Silver, keep this movie in Eternia. The last thing we want is a cosmic key bringing the Eternians, along with a retarded troll named Gwildor, to Earth. Also, only use characters from the cartoon, you\'ll make fans very happy. Well if done the way it should be done this could be the next big sci-fi/fantasy epic trilogy!