The first official footage from the upcoming Masters of the Universe movie has dropped, and it appears to confirm months of speculation that the film will take place on Earth as well as Eternia.
At a Glance
- Leaked set photos showed Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam on a modern street
- The teaser shows Galitzine’s character reacting to something in the real world
- The 18-second mark reveals a transition from the animated series to a room with collectibles
- Why it matters: This marks a major departure from the traditional fantasy-only setting of the franchise
The footage, released on Wednesday, strongly hints at the truth of a long-standing rumor that has circulated since production began. When director Travis Knight was still filming his live-action adaptation of the famous Mattel toy line turned animated series, set photos leaked that appeared to show star Nicholas Galitzine, as Prince Adam, walking around on a modern street.
This sparked speculation that the movie wouldn’t take place completely in Eternia but on Earth too-a significant shift for a franchise built on muscular heroes, magical swords, skull-shaped castles, and talking animals.
The Evidence in the Teaser
The speculation remained just that until MGM released the teaser. The footage appears to show Galitzine’s character reacting to something in the real world, though clever editing could potentially create a different impression than what the final film will deliver.
At the 18-second mark, there’s a notable cut from the original animated series to Galitzine, standing in what appears to be a room with collectibles on display. The editing leads viewers to believe he’s looking at the Sword of Power.
Two Possible Interpretations
The footage presents two potential scenarios:
- A collector has a “replica” of the Sword of Power based on the He-Man cartoon series, and somehow, this person transforms into the real person
- It’s complete misdirection through editing, and none of the Earth-based elements are actually in the film
According to News Of Austin‘s coverage, the truth remains uncertain despite the visual evidence presented in the teaser.
What We Know for Certain
Despite the ambiguity around the Earth setting, Fiona Z. Merriweather reported that Knight appears to have created the big, epic Masters of the Universe movie that fans have envisioned since first discovering the world. The full trailer was scheduled for release on Thursday, promising a more comprehensive look at the adaptation.
Cast and Release Information
The film features an ensemble cast including:
- Camila Mendes
- Alison Brie
- James Purefoy
- Morena Baccarin
- Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson
- Jared Leto
- Idris Elba
Masters of the Universe is set to open on June 5.
Fan Reaction and Speculation
The teaser has generated significant discussion among franchise fans who discovered the property throughout different eras. The potential Earth setting represents a major creative decision that could either refresh the property for new audiences or alienate longtime fans who prefer the traditional fantasy-only approach.
The footage’s editing choices-particularly the transition from animated series to live-action-suggest a possible meta-narrative element where the fictional world intersects with reality, though this interpretation remains speculative until the full trailer or film confirms the actual plot direction.
Key Takeaways
- The first footage appears to confirm Earth-based scenes in the Masters of the Universe movie
- Set photos from production previously hinted at this direction
- The teaser shows Nicholas Galitzine’s Prince Adam in what looks like a modern setting
- The full trailer was set to release Thursday, promising more clarity on the film’s approach
- The movie opens June 5 with a star-studded cast
