Idris Elba is in final negotiations to step into the world of Eternia as Duncan, better known as Man-at-Arms, in the Amazon MGM live-action adaptation of Masters of the Universe. Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee), the film is a collaboration between Escape Artists and Mattel Films and will debut in theaters on June 5, 2026.
Elba joins an ensemble cast that includes Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue) as He-Man, Camila Mendes (Riverdale) as Teela, and Alison Brie (GLOW) as Evil-Lyn. The script, penned by Chris Butler, builds on drafts by David Callaham, Aaron Nee, and Adam Nee, promising to bring the iconic 1980s franchise to life for a new generation.
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The Masters of the Universe franchise began in 1982 with a line of Mattel action figures, quickly capturing the imaginations of kids with its fantasy-meets-sci-fi storytelling. The following year, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe premiered as an animated series, chronicling the adventures of Prince Adam of Eternia. By raising the Sword of Power, Adam transformed into He-Man, the defender of Eternia, battling Skeletor and his minions to protect Castle Grayskull.
The series ran for 130 episodes across two seasons and paved the way for an animated film, The Secret of the Sword, which introduced He-Man’s sister, She-Ra. Spinoffs, reboots, and adaptations followed, including Netflix’s recent Masters of the Universe: Revelation and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Despite its ups and downs in pop culture relevance, Masters of the Universe remains one of Mattel’s most beloved and enduring properties.
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Elba’s character, Duncan, is a central figure in Eternia’s mythology. Known as Man-at-Arms, he is the kingdom’s master of weapons and combat, serving as a mentor and protector to the royal family. A veteran of the Great Unrest, Duncan also helped establish the elite strike force known as the Masters of the Universe. His relationship with his adopted daughter, Teela, adds a layer of complexity to his character, balancing his warrior’s edge with a fatherly role.
Elba’s addition to Masters of the Universe continues a prolific period for the actor. He is set to reprise his role as the voice of Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, premiering next month, and stars in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Hijack. He’s also filming Kathryn Bigelow’s untitled White House thriller and will appear alongside John Cena and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Amazon MGM’s action-comedy Heads of State.
With Masters of the Universe, Elba adds another iconic franchise to a career that spans blockbuster hits like Pacific Rim and The Suicide Squad, award-winning series like Luther, and voice work that includes Disney’s Zootopia and the Sonic franchise.
This live-action adaptation aims to tap into the nostalgia of the original series while introducing the franchise to a new audience. As the battle for Eternia comes to life on the big screen, Elba’s portrayal of Man-at-Arms will undoubtedly be a key piece of the puzzle.
Mark your calendars—Eternia is coming to theaters in 2026.