US EditionMasters of the Universe Director Calls Jared Leto's Live-Action Skeletor 'the Embodiment of Toxic Masculinity'
- On June 5, 2026, Director Travis Knight preserved Skeletor as a living, talking, emoting skull for the Masters of the Universe film, recently teasing Jared Leto’s voice role.
- Rejecting a redesign, Knight dismissed a gold skull mask and insisted `Skeletor has a skull face`, highlighting his choice to maintain the classic look.
- Jared Leto approached the filmmakers because he loves Skeletor and was allowed to `swing for the fences`, but his involvement remains contentious after nine women accused him of sexual impropriety.
- For now, it remains unclear how much of the actor's face will appear in Masters of the Universe, with the trailer showing Skeletor adopting his classic skull face.
- With a starry ensemble, observers note the director’s choice to keep Skeletor as a skull face may influence audience and critic reactions, especially given Leto’s divisive reputation.
18 Articles
18 Articles
'Masters of the Universe' reboot director says villain Skeletor is the 'embodiment of toxic masculinity'
"Masters of the Universe" reboot director Travis Knight described Skeletor, the classic cartoon villain and nemesis of He-Man, as the "embodiment of toxic masculinity."During a Friday interview with Empire, Knight explained how he worked with actor Jared Leto, who plays Skeletor in the film, to craft their own iteration of the villain."Jared approached us, because he loves Skeletor and has his own history with the character. He wanted to swing f…
One of the cartoons that marked childhoods in the 80s: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is coming to the big screen with a new live-action adaptation. One of the most iconic animated villains of all time, Skeletor, will be portrayed by Jared Leto.
'Masters Of The Universe' Director "Really Happy" With Jared Leto's Performance As "Toxic Masculinity" Villain Skeletor
In a set of takes so absurd and performative that it evokes memories of peak, late-2010s era Tumblr, Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight not only believes iconic franchise villain Skeletor is a quintessential representation of “toxic masculinity”, but also that his live-action actor, Jared Leto, did a great job bringing the skull-faced terror to life. Skeletor (Jared Leto) surges with magic in Masters of the Universe (2026), Amazon MG…
‘Masters of the Universe’ Director Calls Jared Leto’s Skeletor “The Embodiment Of Toxic Masculinity”
As the 'Masters of the Universe' makes its way to the big screen, one of Saturday morning cartoons' most iconic villains is getting the cinematic treatment.
Masters of the Universe Director Calls Jared Leto's Live-Action Skeletor 'the Embodiment of Toxic Masculinity'
action Masters of the Universe movie director Travis Knight has teased that Jared Leto’s Skeletor is “the embodiment of toxic masculinity.”The filmmaker behind the live-action adaptation opened up about how he and the cast are reimagining He-Man and other ‘80s icons during a recent interview with Empire. Knight says he worked with the controversial actor to bring the infamous cackling sorcerer to life without sacrificing the qualities that helpe…
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