Feb 14, 2024

Laika's Travis Knight in final negotiations for "Masters of the Universe" reboot with new film.

Mattel has finally found a director for its reboot of the iconic "Masters of the Universe" franchise. According to reports, Laika president and CEO Travis Knight is in the final stages of negotiations to direct a film adaptation of the 1980s cult favorite animated series.

According to Deadline, Knight is the leading candidate for Mattel to reboot the franchise and the only filmmaker asked to present his idea in person. Knight is an accomplished director, having helmed the Academy Award-nominated feature film "Kubo and the Two Strings" and the "Transformers" spin-off "Bumblebee," so he has credibility with the toy property. He has also produced two Oscar nominated films, "The Missing Link" and "Boxtrolls."

The Deadline article does not state whether "Masters of the Universe" will be live-action or animated. However, an early version of the project was initially slated for 2019 with a delivery date only possible in live action.

Screenwriter Chris Butler is a regular at Laika, having written for ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link. Mattel's Robbie Brenner and Escape Artists' Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal will produce, and Deadline reports that Amazon MGM Studios is close to acquiring the film's rights.

The "Masters of the Universe" project is based on the 1980s cult classic animated series that mixed science fiction and fantasy and depicted the fantastic battle between He-Man and Skeletor on the planet Eternia. Since its launch, the franchise has spawned countless retail products and comic book spin-offs, several video games, six animated series, and two feature films.

Mattel is committed to adapting its properties into movies, and it is easy to see why after the huge success of last year's "Barbie," which grossed $1.45 at the worldwide box office. The company recently announced a theatrical feature film of "Bob the Builder" set in Puerto Rico.

Mattel's CG Barney series, American Girl, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Matchbox, Polly Pocket, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot, Thomas and Friends, UNO, and View-Master, They are also working on the Wishbone project. Mattel Films is also developing a holiday family drama, Christmas Balloon, based on an entirely new IP.