Mattel Inc. (MAT.O) and Netflix are developing "Masters of the Universe", a franchise created by the toymaker in the 1980s, a live-action motion picture that is expected to begin production in the summer of 2022. expected, according to Reuters.
The project, previously in development at Sony, will be directed by filmmaking duo The Knee Brothers and star "West Side Story" actor Kyle Allen as Prince Adam or He-Man, both companies said Friday.
The news agency reported that the film will revolve around an orphan named Adam who learns that he is a prince who is the savior of a distant land.
The franchise was first introduced through a row of action figures in 1982, a year before the premiere of the animated series "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe".
American toy makers such as Mattel and Hasbro (HAS.O) have been competing for lucrative contracts with Hollywood studios in recent years. Mattel also has deals with Disney for Pixar Animation Studio's "Toy Story" and "Cars" franchises, as well as "Lightyear".
Earlier this month, Mattel won the rights to make dolls based on Disney royalties including Elsa and Jasmine, withdrawing a license from fanatical Hasbro Inc.