Back when the upcoming live-action Masters of the Universe movie was filming in London during the summer, some videos from the set featured an actor in a large motion-capture rig chasing stars Nicholas Galitzine (Prince Adam) and Camila Mendes (Teela) through the streets.
Fans immediately speculated that this mysterious character might be Beast Man, but there were also reports from the set that the mo-cap actor was referred to as "Cringer" (the cowardly alter-ego of Battle Cat).
Since this character has yet to be officially announced, spoilers follow.
When the supporting cast was announced, it was assumed that Game of Thrones alum Hafthor Bjornsson's Goat Man would fill the role of Skeletor's animalistic henchman, but we'd later hear that concept art featuring Beast Man, Man-E-Faces, Spikor and Battle Cat was spotted at CinemaCon (if this is accurate, it was never shared online).
Now, HeMania.com has confirmed that the mo-cap actor was indeed playing Beast Man. Though this character is usually depicted as a humanoid not too much larger than his fellow Eternians, it looks like this movie will introduce a slightly more monstrous take on the villain.
The first teaser is expected to hit next month (though we have also heard that it could be sooner), and a description recently did the rounds online.
Apparently, the teaser is going to give us a first look at several key MOTU characters. The footage reportedly concludes with Prince Adam raising his power sword and saying the iconic phrase that allows him to transform into He-Man. Skeletor (Jared Leto) is also said to resemble his animated series counterpart, and the movie looks like it's going to be a "solid origin story" for the muscle-bound hero.
Masters of the Universe also stars Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, with Morena Baccarin as The Sorceress and James Purefoy and Charlotte Riley as Adam's parents, King Randor and Queen Marlena. Alison Brie will also feature as Skeletor's second-in-command, Evil-Lyn.
Meanwhile, Sam C. Wilson (House of the Dragon) will play Trap Jaw, with Kojo Attah (The Beekeeper) as Tri-Klops, and Jon Xue Zhang (Eternals) as Ram-Man.
After numerous false starts, Netflix was all set to develop a feature take on the beloved animated series back in 2022, but the project ultimately fell by the wayside.We'd later learn that Amazon/MGM Studios had acquired the movie, with Bumblebee director Travis Knight in talks to helm. Chris Butler rewrote the script from an initial draft by David Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Previously, the Nee Brothers (The Lost City) were attached to direct.
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch will produce, along with DeVon Franklin.
The story follows “10-year-old Prince Adam who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword—the only link to his home on Eternia. After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe!”
Masters of the Universe is set to hit theaters on June 5, 2026.