‘Masters Of The Universe’: Idris Elba Joins Camila Mendes, Alison Brie & Nicholas Galitzine In Sword & Sorcery Film

Idris Elba has an interesting filmography. He tends to go back and forth between interesting, challenging roles and blockbusters. He’s the type of actor who will star in George Miller’s “Three Thousand Years of Longing” and then voice Knuckles in a ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ film. It’s almost a “one for them, one for me” mentality. So, it actually makes sense that he’s going to star in “Masters Of The Universe.”

READ MORE: 2024 Fall Film Preview: 50 Movies To Watch

According to Mattel Films, Idris Elba is set to star in the upcoming live-action “Masters of the Universe” film. In the film, he’s expected to play Duncan, who is also sometimes known as Man-at-Arms. He’s a mentor for He-Man. Elba will star alongside Nicholas Galitzine, who is playing the role of He-Man, Camila Mendes, who is playing the role of Teela, and Alison Brie, who is playing the role of Evil Lyn.

For those who are unaware of the story behind “Masters of the Universe,” it began as a toy line in the early ‘80s. From there, it became a Saturday morning cartoon that grew in popularity. There was one previous attempt to bring the cartoon to live-action with 1987’s “Masters of the Universe.” That film bombed hard at the box office. This new iteration of the film has bounced between studios, but it seems to have finally found a home. 

Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.

As mentioned, Elba is no stranger to blockbusters based on pre-existing I.P. He has shown up as Heimdall in multiple Marvel films. He’s appeared in the ‘Fast & Furious’ spinoff, ‘Hobbs & Shaw.’ Elba has also appeared in James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad.” And, as mentioned above, he’s one of the main characters in “Sonic the Hedgehog.” 

“Masters of the Universe” is expected to arrive in theaters on June 5, 2026.