According to Variety, Sony Pictures is calling upon relative newcomers The Nee Brothers (Aaron and Adam Nee) to direct the big screen version of Masters of the Universe. They will replace previously-attached David S. Goyer (Krypton, Blade: Trinity, The Dark Knight), who remains actively onboard as writer and executive producer.
The Nee Brothers caught industry attention for their Mark Twain-inspired 2015 crime comedy-thriller Band of Robbers, which featured Kyle Gallner, Matthew Gray Gubler, Melissa Benoist and Stephen Lang. Adam Nee co-starred in that movie, and is also known for acting roles on shows like Drunk History and Criminal Minds.
Masters of the Universe is based on the Mattel toy line character He-Man, which led to an animated series that ran from 1983-1985. Masters of the Universe follows Prince Adam, who has the ability to transform into a warrior called He-Man. As He-Man, Adam becomes the last hope for a magical land called Eternia, ravaged by technology and the evil Skeletor.
Originally launched as a popular Mattel toy line in 1982, Masters of the Universe spawned several animated series (including the female-driven spinoff cartoon series, She-Ra: Princess of Power) along with a 1987 live-action film. Directed by Gary Goddard, the first Masters of the Universe movie stars Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, Frank Langella as Skeletor and, in one of her very first big screen roles, a young Courteney Cox as Julie Winston, a teenage character created specifically for the film.
Masters of the Universe will be produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch from Escape Artists. Mattel executives Julia Pistor and David Voss will executive produce for the company. Sony’s Matthew Milam will oversee.
Masters of the Universe is set for release on December 18, 2019.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
