EXCLUSIVE INSIGHT: Following an impressive streaming success, director Travis Knight sheds light on the potential future of the iconic franchise, Masters of the Universe.
This year marked the theatrical release of the fantasy franchise’s second live-action film, the first since 1987, featuring Nicholas Galitzine in the role of Prince Adam Glenn/He-Man. Despite achieving a total box office revenue of $114 million against a production budget estimated between $170 and $200 million, the film fell short commercially. However, it excelled on Prime Video, where it dominated as the platform’s top movie for five consecutive weeks.
In a conversation with Tatiana Hullender from ScreenRant for the film Wildwood, which Knight also directed, he was asked about a possible sequel to Masters of the Universe. The director expressed that the decision lies beyond his control but conveyed his enthusiasm about the prospect of continuing the story and his gratitude for the filmmaking experience, feeling proud of the final product. He remarked:
"These decisions are out of our hands. Making this film was an absolute joy, and I had a wonderful time collaborating with our team. I believe that joyful experience is felt by the audience while watching. Ultimately, we can only imagine what happens next for these characters after the movie ends. If the universe decides we should create more, we would be thrilled to do so. But ultimately, it’s beyond our control, which is why we pour everything we have into every project—hoping, of course, that it resonates with the audience."
While the movie wraps up its narrative successfully, the conclusion hints at numerous possibilities for future installments. Adam is back on Eternia, having saved his world and embraced the essence of Grayskull, allowing him to evolve beyond his origin story. He remains unaware of his twin sister, Princess Adora/She-Ra, portrayed by Lauren Saliu, who is introduced in a post-credits scene. Additionally, another post-credits moment teases Skeletor’s return, voiced by Jared Leto, as Evil-Lyn, played by Alison Brie, is seen with his skull, accompanied by the classic sound of his laughter.
Concerning the whereabouts of Adora in the post-credits sequence, Knight confirmed her presence in the renowned Masters of the Universe setting known as the Fright Zone. He further noted that if a sequel is realized, "She-Ra would play a major role, given her significance in the lore." The introduction of the Fright Zone hints at the potential for Hordak, a notable franchise villain, to take center stage in a follow-up narrative, possibly as the primary antagonist rather than Skeletor.
Critical reception for the film has been varied, with a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences rated it more positively, achieving an 85% approval rating. In ScreenRant’s review, Molly Freeman rated the film 8 out of 10, calling it "this summer’s hopecore movie," emphasizing its ability to balance playful nods to the original cartoon with a grounded narrative about characters striving to do the right thing.
Despite the mixed reviews and lukewarm box office performance, the film’s success on Prime Video may pave the way for its future, especially considering Knight’s willingness to explore more stories in the franchise. One intriguing option could be a sequel that bypasses theatrical release and goes straight to Prime Video, capitalizing on the film’s streaming success.
Returning characters for a potential sequel could include Adam, Adora, Skeletor, and Evil-Lyn, along with notable figures such as Teela (Camilla Mendes), Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), Roboto (Kristen Wiig), Cringer (Tom Wilson), Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley), the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin), Fisto (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson), and others.
Masters of the Universe is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
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