‘Masters of the Universe’ Clip Highlights Campy Skeletor and Evil-Lyn Banter Ahead of Release

A new clip from Masters of the Universe has been unveiled ahead of the film’s theatrical release this weekend, showcasing Skeletor and Evil-Lyn in a humorous light.

Featuring Jared Leto as Skeletor and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, the scene sets the tone for the film. Their playful and exaggerated exchange leans heavily into a camp style reminiscent of the original 1980s cartoon rather than a serious fantasy narrative.

Skeletor stands out as particularly over-the-top in this clip. Rather than being purely menacing, he exudes a blend of drama and comedy. Evil-Lyn matches his energy, and their back-and-forth feels intentionally theatrical.

Early reactions indicate that this is precisely the direction the filmmakers aimed for. The film embraces the colorful and quirky tone of the original Masters of the Universe cartoon rather than opting for a darker, more realistic approach.

Director Travis Knight discussed this vision in an interview with GamesRadar+. He emphasized the importance of staying true to the elements that made Skeletor a memorable character.

He stated, “We loved [Skeletor], and we wanted to make sure that those things that we loved about him came through on the screen. He was funny, he was strange, he was scary, he was menacing, he looked cool.”

Knight also described the character’s personality as more nuanced than merely being a villain. He added, “He was deeply insecure. He was always insulting his underlings. He had a very distinctive voice and a distinctive laugh.”

These traits are evident in the new clip, where Skeletor mocks and insults those around him while maintaining a larger-than-life presence. His performance is crafted to be both entertaining and intimidating at various moments.

The film is a new live-action adaptation of the Masters of the Universe franchise, based on the classic Mattel toy line and animated series. It follows Prince Adam, portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine, as he returns to Eternia to confront Skeletor and discover his destiny as He-Man.

Alongside Galitzine, the cast features Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Kristen Wiig, and Idris Elba. The narrative centers on Adam’s transformation from an ordinary life to his heroic role as He-Man, as he strives to save his world.

The film has undergone various development changes over the years, shifting between different studios and creative teams before settling at Amazon MGM Studios. Director Travis Knight ultimately took charge of the project, shaping its current iteration.

Filming took place in London from early to mid-2025, with the movie premiering in May at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Masters of the Universe is set to release in the United States on June 5, with international distribution managed by Sony Pictures Releasing.

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