To my recollection Jon M. Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) was the last name attached to direct Masters of the Universe for Columbia Pictures. I’m not sure when exactly he dropped out of the picture, but the studio is looking around once again as Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) has finished a new draft of the screenplay.
The names apparently in contention include Mike Cahill (Another Earth, I Origins), Chris McKay (“Robot Chicken”), Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid) and Jeff Wadlow (Kick Ass 2).
Masters of the Universe began in the 1980s as a toy line at Mattel. It would eventually spawn comics, a cartoon series and a live-action movie in 1987 starring Dolph Lundgren. The generic narrative centers on He-Man, a prince who turns into a mythic superhero and battles the forces of evil led by Skeletor.
Looking at the list of names above, none of them jump out as someone that would move the dial. Cahill seems like someone with higher and more unique aspirations, Zwart seems like the safe choice and Wadlow seems like a fall back. Of the lot McKay is the most interesting for this project as he’s been involved with “Robot Chicken” for a long time and most recently served as editor and animator on The Lego Movie, but I’m pretty sure the plan is for a live-action feature so not sure how well he’d make the transition.
All told, I’m not holding my breath in anticipation of this film arriving any time soon. [The Wrap & Variety]
