Noted 2.1 out of 5, this is one of the most failed fantastic action films of the 80s … 40 years later, he became cult and will even be entitled to a remake

When he released in 1987, the masters of the universe not only made a monumental flop: he also precipitated the fall of his studio, Cannon Group. However, years later, this feature film by Fantasy Kitsch has become a little gem of “Nanar” cinema, adored for its faults and its excesses-and which is about to see the light of day in the form of a remake currently in full filming and whose first images were revealed!

At the end of the 80s, Cannon Group was already on the edge of the abyss. But in a last attempted survival, the studio bet on three big productions to revive: Superman IV, Over the Top with Sylvester Stallone, and The masters of the universeled by Dolph Lundgren, freshly revealed in the role of Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.

The Cannon Group

This last project is based on a very popular franchise: that of Mattel toys and the animated series The masters of the universe. Despite a tight budget, Cannon hopes to seduce fans. An agreement is reached with Mattel, who agrees to participate in the production, and Gary Goddard takes control of the shooting.

Chaotic production

But the galleys start quickly. In the audio comments of the DVD, the director later revealed that Mattel had been slow to unlock the promised funds, forcing the team to review his ambitions downwards. The absence of a second shooting team, essential for action scenes and secondary plans, had even more complicated the task.

And it felt in the final result. When it was released, the film comes up against murderous criticism and despite a correct start in theaters, the recipes collapsed quickly. With a box office of $ 17.3 million for a budget estimated at 23 million, the film is a financial fiasco.

The Cannon Group

The sequence canceled, the studio flows

Cannon had nevertheless planned a suite, Masters of the Universe 2: Revenge of the Beastin which Skeletor infiltrated human society under the appearance of a evil magnate, while Musclor camouflaged himself as an American football star. Dolph Lundgren was to be replaced by the surfer Laird Hamilton. But this project will never see the light of day.

The combined failure of Superman IV,, Over the top And The masters of the universe carries the favorite in Cannon. Bought by French investors, the company refocuses on the video market, with some notable titles like blows for blows with Jean-Claude Van Damme.

A revenge thanks to fans

Despite his disastrous reputation, The masters of the universe today benefits from a real renewed interest. Noted 2.1 out of 5 by the spectators of Allociné, the film is nonetheless appreciated by a part of the public for its obsolete charm and its “guilty pleasure” side.

Some Internet users claim a nostalgic attachment, others salute its touching absurdity with a courteney cox starting as a heroine. In short, a disaster that has become a delicious nanar for lovers of the genre – a cult nanar about to come back to our screens …

The Cannon Group

The new musclor and teela are revealed

Fans can indeed rejoice: a new live-action version of the masters of the universe is being produced in London. The first photos from the set recently offered an unprecedented overview of two emblematic characters: Musclor, embodied by Nicholas Galitzine, and Teela, played by Camila Mendes, well known for her role in Riverdale.

Notable fact: Galitzine appears dressed in a pink shirt, far from the traditional warrior attractive of musclor. A detail that fuels rumors that, in this version, the hero was exiled on earth from his childhood, to protect him from a threatening danger. In adulthood, he would then be recalled on his original planet, Eternia, to face the terrible skeletor and lift the veil on its origins.

For her part, Teela, with her clear eyes, seems to benefit from a treatment more faithful to the original animated series, sporting an outfit in white and golden tones, which will delight purists.

An official photo published in April had already given a first preview of the visual style adopted for musclor in this highly anticipated duct. Here it is:

Amazon MGM Studios

The casting of the new film is also prestigious: Idris Elba will lend her features to the master of arms, Alison Brie will play the formidable Evil-Lyn, while Jared Leto will perform the Skeletor sinister.

In realization, we find Travis Knight, known for his work on Bumblebee and Kubo and magic armor.

The masters of the universe promises to be one of the major cinematographic meetings of the summer of 2026 in France.