Source: ComingSoon.net via Bleeding Cool
Here's a bit of hopeful news for all you 80's cartoon fans out there. While details are scarce, some key execs at both Sony and Escape Artist announced their continued partnership through 2015 and also announced a number of films they plan to make including a new take on He-Man.
While details were not forthcoming at this time, it's a sign that things may finally be on track for He-Man to make a triumphant return to the big screen after the less than stellar 1987 take on the character starring Dolph Lundgren.
Prior to this announcement, the last reported details on the project back in April of 2010 were that screenwriters Mike Finch (Predators 2010) and Alex Litvak (Predators 2010, The Three Musketeers 2011) would take a stab at the firs draft of a script and that John Stevenson (Kung-Fu Panda) would direct the film.
Above concept art courtesy of DeviantArt's nebezial
Masters of the Universe is a 1987 science-fiction fantasy film based on the toy line by the same name. The movie stars Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. Other actors include Jon Cypher as Man-At-Arms, Chelsea Field as Teela, Billy Barty as Gwildor, and Courteney Cox.
The film was released in the United States on August 7, 1987 after the popularity of the toy line and cartoon had peaked.
A new He-Man movie directed by John Woo was reportedly being developed in 2007, but despite many rumors circulating around the Internet regarding the film's production status and casting, the project was never officially green-lit. The film rights to He-Man have reportedly since reverted back to Mattel.
In September 2009, Sony took over the rights from Warner Bros to produce the Masters of the Universe live action film after Mattel and producer Joel Silver, who was previously involved with a potential film, couldn't agree on creative direction for the film. Sony and Escape Artists' Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch will now start developing the project from scratch for Columbia Pictures. In April 2010, Sony hired screenwriters Mike Finch and Alex Litvak to draft a new script.