Cast This: Skeletor (Masters of the Universe)

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Although Mattel's Masters of the Universe franchise has thrived for decades thanks to toys, animated series, comics, video-games, and more, there has surprisingly only been one live-action feature-film in all that time, 1987's MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE which starred Dolph Lundgren (CREED II) as He-Man. It's not for lack of trying however, as a reboot has been stuck in development hell for well over a decade, but at long last, it finally seems that the project is moving forward.

It was revealed last month that Noah Centineo (TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE) was in talks with Sony Pictures to play He-Man, aka Prince Adam, the heir to the throne of the planet Eternia. Thanks to his magical Power Sword, Prince Adam is able to transform into He-Man in order to defend his kingdom and Castle Grayskull, the source of his powers, from the evil sorcerer Skeletor and his band of minions. Adam & Aaron Nee (BAND OF ROBBERS) will be helming the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE film based on a script by Matt Holloway & Art Marcum (MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL), and production has been rumoured to be kicking off this summer.

The nefarious Skeletor desires nothing more than to conquer Castle Greyskull and learn its ancient secrets so that he can rule the world of Eternia. Although he possesses superior intelligence, Skeletor's over-confidence is frequently his undoing in his battles with He-Man, although the bumbling of his minions has certainly foiled a plot or two as well. As a powerful sorcerer, Skeletor has a wide array of mystical powers as his disposal, including teleportation and hypnotism. He also wields the Havoc Staff, a long sceptre topped with a ram's head which can focus his mystical powers.

In the 1987 film, Skeletor was played by Frank Langella (The Americans), who gave a deliciously over-the-top performance which has helped to cement MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE as a cult-classic. The actor even called the role one of his favourites during an interview with IFC in 2012. "It’s one of my very favorite parts. I played him because my son was four years old and walked around with a sword yelling, ‘I [have] the power!’ And he loved, loved, loved Skeletor," Langella explained. "I didn’t even blink [when I was offered the role]. I couldn’t wait to play him." Whether the role will involve prosthetics with CG enhancements, similar to Hugo Weaving as Red Skull in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGERS, or will perhaps be an entirely CG creation remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – you can't have He-Man without Skeletor. As for who can bring the devious villain to life once again, well, I'll toss out a few suggestions to get you started. Jeremy Irons (JUSTICE LEAGUE) is a damn fine actor, but he can also chew the scenery like nobody's business, which would make him the perfect fit for a Skeletor ripped straight from the cartoons. If we're going for something a little more menacing, Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) might just be the man for the job. For my final suggestion, I'll go with Willem Dafoe (AQUAMAN), because you know gives good villain.

Remember, you're free to suggest anyone in the comments, so let your inner casting director run wild!

Previously on Cast This, you were asked to fill the role of The Riddler, one of Gotham City's criminal masterminds and frequent thorn in Batman's side. As always, you came through with plenty of great suggestions for the role, including Domhnall Gleeson (STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER), Edward Norton (ISLE OF DOGS), and Jake Gyllenhaal (SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME). Today's Cast This comes thanks to a suggestion from Luke319, so thank you! I've mentioned it before but I'll say it again – please feel free to suggest any possible characters for future Cast This articles. I can't promise that I'll always use them, but I'd like to know that I'm at least choosing characters you folks are into.