Director Travis Knight has framed Jared Leto’s take on Skeletor in the upcoming Masters of the Universe as a character study rooted in modern power dynamics, a choice that has already sparked sharp debate online. In an interview with Empire, Knight said Skeletor is “the embodiment of toxic masculinity,” describing a villain driven by insecurity, control, and domination rather than cartoonish evil alone.
Knight said Leto pursued the role himself and pushed for a bold interpretation. “Jared approached us, because he loves Skeletor,” Knight said, adding that the actor “wanted to swing for the fences.” Knight also stressed fidelity to the character’s iconic design, saying he insisted Skeletor keep his skull face after earlier iterations flirted with a masked look.
The comments landed amid rising visibility for the film following the release of a teaser trailer on Jan. 22 and a ramp-up in marketing ahead of the June 5 theatrical release. The live-action adaptation stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man, with Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin, and Kristen Wiig in key supporting roles.
Reaction has split along familiar lines. Some fans welcomed the attempt to give Skeletor psychological texture, arguing that a villain obsessed with conquest and status fits cleanly into a “toxic masculinity” frame. Others criticized the phrasing as culture-war bait or a marketing hook, saying it risks flattening a long-running character into a slogan before audiences hear a line of dialogue. The intensity of the response has amplified a moment that might otherwise have stayed inside a press-cycle interview.
The studio and toy maker are betting on the film as a major franchise play. Mattel has rolled out a new line of action figures timed to the movie’s release window, part of a broader strategy to turn its legacy brands into theatrical hits after the success of “Barbie,” according to Reuters. For Knight, the immediate challenge is simpler: sell audiences on a familiar fantasy world while convincing them this Skeletor has something pointed to say about power.
