There are obvious similarities between He-Man and Thor: both are larger-than-life, sword (or hammer)-wielding warriors steeped in myth and physical power. But where Thor carries the weight of godly legacy and cosmic stakes within the sprawling cinematic universe of the MCU, the new Masters of the Universe is aiming for something different.
The upcoming movie reboot — directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee) — will arrive in 2026 after years of development hell. But if the film hits big, audiences could adopt He-Man as the go-to symbol of (blonde) mythic strength in big-budget live-action fantasy for a new generation. In other words, they might forget all about Chris Hemsworth’s Thor.
For years, Hemsworth’s Thor has been the benchmark for muscular, mythic heroics in blockbuster cinema, while Nicholas Galitzine’s upcoming He-Man in the live-action Masters of the Universe promises to redefine what audiences expect from fantasy heroes. And Galitzine, best known recently for his roles in Red, White & Royal Blue, doesn’t take the responsibility lightly, posting on Instagram earlier this year after filming wrapped:
“Well, that’s a wrap on Masters of the Universe. It has been an honour shouldering the responsibility of playing Adam and He Man. It’s been the role of a lifetime and I put everything into it. There’s not much I can show you, but I am so proud of the movie we’ve made. Thanks to our amazing cast and crew for all your hard work.”
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The film is scheduled for release in June and features a star-studded cast including Jared Leto as Skeletor, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, and Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms.
Unlike Thor, whose adventures are tied to the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, He-Man exists in a standalone world with its own mythology. That distinction allows Masters of the Universe to focus entirely on the world of Eternia and its characters, potentially offering a freshness that superhero franchises have struggled to maintain in recent years.
Marvel, while still dominant, has faced critical and commercial fluctuations since 2021, and DC has only just begun a new cinematic era with the release of Superman this year, although it’s not gotten off to the best start. A successful He-Man reboot could give audiences a new option for mythic, high-stakes storytelling, pulling attention away from both established franchises, while Galitzine’s He-Man could effectively become the high-fantasy heavyweight of this new era.
Of course, Hemsworth will also return next year in Avengers: Doomsday (December) alongside several other returning actors in one of the MCU’s most highly anticipated crossover events ever, but the question is, between He-Man and Thor, who will “have the power” at the box office and with audiences?
Which are you looking forward to the most, Masters of the Universe or Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know in the comments down below!
