Award-winning actor Idris Elba has been cast in Amazon MGM’s upcoming live-action “Masters of the Universe” film, bringing the classic Mattel property to the big screen. Elba will play Duncan, the royal weapons expert also known as Man-at-Arms, in the film, which will hit theaters on June 5, 2026.
The film’s ensemble cast will include Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn. Travis Knight directs the project, a collaboration between Escape Artists and Mattel Films to reinvent the beloved toy line.
Duncan’s character is crucial to the story’s mythology. As a veteran warrior who had fought in the Great Unrest, King Randor personally chose him to lead an elite fighting force known as The Masters of the Universe. Duncan, alongside his adopted daughter Teela, defends Eternia’s frontiers against invading troops.
Chris Butler created the script based on an early draft by David Callaham and the Nee brothers. The production team, which includes veteran producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner, and Steve Tisch, promises a high-quality adaptation.
The casting comes at a hectic time for Elba, who is currently shooting a Netflix White House thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow. He will also reprise his role as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the Paramount+ series and star in the Amazon MGM action-comedy Heads of State alongside John Cena and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
The Masters of the Universe franchise has a lengthy history. It began with a Mattel action figure line in 1982 and swiftly developed into an animated series in 1983. Over four decades, it has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate followers of all ages.
