Most of today’s generation might not be familiar with the nostalgia that the name He-Man carries, but those who grew up through the ‘80s and the ‘90s know what a mania that action figure was. Still, the buzz around the latest adaptation of the lore of He-Man is as strong as it can be, and it seems a newer audience is really excited to experience the world of Eternia. However, the excitement is countered by equal parts dread, as the original 1987 live-action adaptation of Masters of the Universe has scarred most fans for life with its epic failure in capturing the full glory of the Eternia saga.

But the new movie can rewrite history and present the fans with the story they deserve by simply avoiding these mistakes.

The setting of the 1987 movie was one of its gravest mistakes. Budgetary restrictions forced the film to spend almost its whole running time in a typical American small town, despite fans' desire to experience Eternia's mythical scenery. It felt more like a typical ‘80s cop movie than a fantasy epic.

World-building is what audiences seek, especially from a story like Masters of the Universe. The high-fantasy breadth of the source material must be maintained in the 2026 movie. The spectator must experience the "alien" quality of He-Man's home, whether through realistic sets or cutting-edge visual effects.

Fans of the original work felt betrayed by a complete absence of iconic characters like Orko and Battle Cat in the original movie from 1987. These were more than just sidekicks; they were integral elements of the franchise's identity. These characters are as important to the fandom as the main character itself.

3 Things 'Masters of the Universe' Is Bringing Back That Modern Fantasy Movies Lost

Without Battle Cat, a Masters of the Universe film does not seem to be truly connected to the universe of its origin. To make the world seem real and lived in, the new movie must draw heavily from the rich legend, including the Man-At-Arms, the Sorceress, and the larger cast of characters.

The 1987 movie had trouble deciding what it wanted to be. Somewhere along the lines, it got confused between a grim sci-fi war story and a fun children's adventure and ended up losing its identity. The audience was left perplexed about the stakes because it turned out to be a jumbled combination of both.

The filmmakers this time need to stick to one path and follow it throughout the entirety of the movie. The tone must remain constant from the opening to the last frame, regardless of whether they decide on a Guardians of the Galaxy-style lighthearted adventure or a serious epic akin to Dune.

The title of He-Man is "Most Powerful Man in the Universe." But the 1987 movie did not seem to justify this title. With few action scenes and a strong dependence on a "Cosmic Key" plot device that seemed like a stand-in for true heroism, the 80s movie frequently made him appear remarkably weak.

He-Man must feel like the star not just for the sake of being the titular character, but because of his established aura as the strongest of the strong. The action scenes must demonstrate the unadulterated, legendary strength implied by the title. We must witness him accomplish things that serve as a reminder of his legendary status.

Although Frank Langella put forth a fantastic performance as Skeletor, the villain's ability to appear truly menacing or otherworldly was constrained by the makeup and prosthetics of the 1980s. The overall character design appeared to be flawed and a downgrade from what he is originally depicted as

As one of the most recognizable antagonists in the history of animation, Skeletor deserves better. His campy, evil demeanor and a truly menacing design must be perfectly balanced in the 2026 edition. He must be more than just a man wearing a rubber mask; he must seem like an ancient, terrifying threat.

Instead of being skilled fighters from a mystical realm, the characters around He-Man in the original felt more like generic action heroes. They lacked the distinct taste and power fantasy components that made the original television and toy line so cherished. They felt more like spectators to He-Man’s struggle against Skeletor.

Each character in the 2026 cast should have a unique fighting style and visual language. Each member of the supporting cast should contribute something specific to the battle against Skeletor, making them feel like a team of experts rather than a bunch of clueless simpletons.

It seems like the upcoming Masters of the Universe has a lot to avoid and fix if it wants to steer clear of the fate of the original movie from the ‘80s. The task at hand might feel daunting, as the legacy of He-Man is multigenerational, and the mythos that follows him is vast. But it is not impossible, and all it takes is to stay true to the source material.

Do you think the upcoming movie can successfully avoid all the things that the 1987 Masters of the Universe got wrong? Share your thoughts.