This summer's Masters of the Universe reboot is clearly sticking closely to the classic '80s cartoon, but there have been at least a few significant—and, for some, necessary—updates. Among them is Teela's costume, which, in animation, was low-cut and showed off the entirety of her legs.
While not quite too revealing, it doesn't seem like an overly practical design for a present-day member of the Heroic Warriors. Talking in the latest issue of Empire Magazine (via He-Mania.com), Teela actress Camila Mendes confirmed that she was ready and willing to don a cartoon-accurate costume if asked.
Ultimately, the filmmakers decided to head in a different direction.
"I was okay with it," the actress confirmed, "but they decided that it would be kind of silly to have this warrior woman trotting around in a swimsuit among all these big, burly men."
It makes sense, especially as Teela is one of only a few female characters to reside in Eternia. Mendes, best known for starring in Riverdale, looks well-cast as the character, and the fact that pants have been added to Teela's suit is far from the end of the world.
The first trailer for Masters of the Universe featured Cringer, while Battle Cat has so far only been spotlighted in promo art and merchandise. As you might expect, the fan-favourite feline will see plenty of action in this live-action reboot.
Empire's piece notes, "In one fire-lit corner of the imposing set, a pair of female stunt-doubles rehearse combat moves in outfits that clearly identify them as valorous warrior Teela and her spell-flinging nemesis, Evil-Lyn. In another, Knight explains, his VFX team will conjure a huge green tiger [Battle Cat] fighting a shaggy orange-furred ape-dude [Beast Man]."
Battle Cat vs. Beast Man? Sign us up! Hopefully, we'll get an epic shot of He-Man riding Battle Cat in the next trailer, though it wouldn't be the worst thing if such an iconic piece of imagery is saved for the movie itself.
In Masters of the Universe, Director Travis Knight brings the legendary franchise back to the big screen in this epic live-action adventure. After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto).
To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
Written by Chris Butler and Aaron Nee & Adam Nee & Dave Callaham, and directed by Travis Knight, Masters of the Universe stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba.
Masters of the Universe opens in theaters on June 5, later this year.