We’ve had a fun time sharing so many secrets about Masters of the Universe with you all. Now you will finally have the opportunity to see the wonders of Eternia for yourself, as the long awaited big screen adaptation is finally hitting theaters today. To celebrate we were given the incredible opportunity to sit down with director Travis Knight to discuss how his history at his Laika Studios influenced how he brought He-Man and the rest of these iconic characters to life on film in a way we’ve never before seen!
We’ve been huge supporters of Laika’s style and storytelling abilities for a long time. So when it was announced that studio head Knight would be helming Masters of the Universe, especially with movies like Kubo and the Two Strings, Bumblebee, and the upcoming Wildwood on his resume, we were ecstatic and confident he’d be the best filmmaker for the job. And we were right!
What Knight managed to craft showcases the perfect balance between the campiness of the original cartoons, the incredible action and scale of a modern fantasy epic, and the sincerity and heart of his previous directorial efforts. This is not an easy feat to pull off. Yet, stunningly, the film knows exactly what it is, what makes the Masters mythology so legendary, and how and when to treat things with a smile and when to treat them full conviction. It also does a great job at exploring the definition of masculinity and what it means to be empathetic, understanding, and kind.
We were given the chance to dive in deeper with Knight about these themes and discuss how his background at Laika ultimately led to his approach to Masters of the Universe. Here’s what he had to say:
Masters of the Universe is now officially in theaters!
If you can’t get enough of He-Man and the gang, don’t fret! We’ll have even more coverage coming your way, including conversations with some of the film’s supporting cast! So stay tuned for more!