Jared Leto Will Play Skeletor in MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Movie

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As a seasoned gamer with memories of the iconic “Masters of the Universe” etched into my childhood, I must say that the casting news for the upcoming live-action movie has stirred a mix of excitement and curiosity within me. The roster of characters is shaping up quite nicely, with familiar faces like Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, and Sam C. Wilson bringing their unique talents to the table.

However, the choice of Jared Leto for Skeletor has left me scratching my head a bit. Don’t get me wrong; he’s a versatile actor who can certainly bring a villainous flair to the role. But let’s be honest, when it comes to playing skeletal characters, Leto is pretty much the only name on Amazon MGM’s list (as far as I know).

Now, Skeletor has always been an oddity in the world of cartoon villains, with a muscular physique and a skull for a head. It’s something that’s always left me feeling a tad uncomfortable, especially considering he’s supposed to be magical. And yes, I understand the whole “rubber mask” thing from the 1987 film worked better in some ways, but still…

Leto has previously played emaciated villains and undead characters, such as the worst Joker (in my humble opinion), the Hatbox Ghost, and Morbius. I guess we can expect him to bring that skeletal face thing to Skeletor too.

All in all, I’m looking forward to seeing how this movie pans out, especially since it’s being directed by Travis Knight. And who knows? Maybe Leto will surprise us all and give us a Skeletor we never expected. After all, even the Mountain can play Goat Man, right? So why not Leto as Skeletor?

On a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder if this means Jared Leto will be joining the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) as Skeletor. After all, isn’t he friends with Ben Affleck and all that? Maybe we’ll see Batman and Skeletor teaming up against He-Man in a future crossover event. Now wouldn’t that be something!

In general, sticking to tried and tested methods is commonplace in franchise filmmaking, as studios often maintain lists of A-list actors who could potentially fit various roles or character types based on their projects. When it comes to less well-known actors cast as heroes, they usually opt for more reliable choices when it comes to the villains. As for actors who have won Oscars and can play skeletal villains, there aren’t many options beyond Jared Leto. And that’s exactly what Amazon MGM is doing by casting Jared Leto as Skeletor in their live-action Masters of the Universe movie, according to Variety.

The upcoming “Masters of the Universe” film, stemming from the over 40-year-old franchise that originated with the iconic 1983 animated series by Filmation, is almost completely populated with characters. English actor Nicholas Galitzine has been cast as He-Man, the muscular hero of Eternia, while Idris Elba and Camila Mendes will portray allies Man-at-Arms and Teela. For the villains, Alison Brie will take on the role of Evil-Lyn, Skeletor’s right-hand woman. Sam C. Wilson (from “House of the Dragon”) will play Trap Jaw; Kojo Attah (from “The Beekeeper”) will portray Tri-Klops; and Hafthor Bjornsson (known for his role in “Game of Thrones”) will embody Goat Man. Indeed, The Mountain will appear as Goat Man in this film. Essentially, the character known as The Mountain will be a Goat Man in this movie. (Isn’t that an interesting twist?)

Skeletor, a character in cartoon villain lore, is recognized for his muscular physique paired with a skull-like head. This combination has always struck me as peculiar. Despite being magical, I’ve often wondered why he resembles Lou Ferrigno from the waist up. In the 1987 film “Masters of the Universe” by Cannon Films, Frank Langella portrayed Skeletor wearing a rubber skull mask, which, surprisingly, seemed more fitting in some way.

In the past, Leto has been known for portraying malevolent characters with a grinning, gaunt appearance or as undead beings. He excelled as the most menacing Joker and the Hatbox Ghost in the latest “Haunted Mansion” film. Additionally, Morbius often appeared to have a skeletal visage. Regardless, he’s expected to deliver an outstanding performance.

Masters of the Universe from director Travis Knight will begin filming in June 2025.

Kyle Anderson serves as the Senior Editor at TopMob, where he oversees operations. Each week, he delves into the world of pop culture through his podcast titled “Laser Focus.” To catch his insightful movie and television critiques, check out the designated section here. Keep up with him on Instagram and Letterboxd for more updates.

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2025-01-02 23:32