For kids growing up in the ’80s, there were two towering pop-culture forces: G.I. Joe and He-Man. I firmly landed in the latter camp. Masters of the Universe wasn’t just a cartoon — it was an obsession. Action figures, the animated series, Castle Grayskull… I had it all. Decades later, as I inch closer to the half-century mark, there’s still a tote in my house filled with those figures — Grayskull included.
That’s why it didn’t take more than a few notes of the iconic theme song for the goosebumps to kick in today when the first teaser — yes, a teaser for the trailer — for Masters of the Universe dropped. I’m no fan of this growing trend of teasers for trailers, but nostalgia is a powerful thing, and I wasn’t skipping this one.
My excitement comes with a healthy dose of caution. Masters of the Universe has been down this road before. The last big-screen attempt in 1987, starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella, missed the mark in almost every way imaginable. Aside from character names, the film spent most of its time on Earth and barely resembled the Eternia fans grew up loving.
But this new footage? It’s different. Even in its brief runtime, the tone feels closer to what Masters of the Universe should be. For the first time in a long while, this might actually work. I’m intrigued. Enough, in fact, that I’m considering filming a full trailer reaction when it finally drops.
For now, fans can soak in this hit of nostalgia as the full trailer approaches. Masters of the Universe stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin, and Jared Leto, and is directed by Travis Knight — a combination that finally gives this long-troubled franchise a real shot at reclaiming the power of Grayskull.
