**SPOILERS AHEAD!!!! PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK**
By the power of Grayskull, it seems that Masters of the Universe is finally back on the big screen with enough confidence to start thinking about what comes next. Director Travis Knight’s (Bumblebee) new adaptation revives Mattel’s iconic fantasy franchise nearly four decades after its first live-action outing, bringing Prince Adam, Skeletor, and Eternia to a new generation. Judging by what awaits after the credits, however, this adventure is only the beginning.
Audiences heading into Masters of the Universe should resist the temptation to leave their seats once the story concludes. Modern blockbusters have conditioned moviegoers to expect post-credit surprises, but He-Man’s franchise actually has a surprisingly long history with the concept. Long before cinematic universes became standard practice, the 1987 Masters of the Universe film ended with a brief stinger showing Frank Langella’s Skeletor emerging from apparent defeat and declaring, “I’m back!” It was a simple tease designed to set up a sequel that never materialised, and nearly forty years later, Knight’s reboot appears determined not to make the same mistake.
Nicholas Galitzine (The Sheep Detectives) leads the new film as Adam Glenn, who returns to Eternia after fifteen years away and discovers his home world under the iron grip of Jared Leto’s (Tron: Ares) Skeletor. To reclaim his kingdom and fulfil his destiny as He-Man, Adam joins forces with Teela, played by Camila Mendes (Riverdale), and Duncan, better known as Man-At-Arms, portrayed by Idris Elba (Luther). Supporting roles include Alison Brie (Community) as Evil-Lyn, Morena Baccarin (Deadpool) as The Sorceress, James Purefoy (Rome) as King Randor, and Charlotte Riley (Peaky Blinders) as Queen Marlena.
Following its lengthy 141-minute runtime, viewers are rewarded with not one, not two, but three separate post-credit scenes scattered throughout the credits roll. First up, the film offers a playful nod to one of the most notable absences from the main story: Orko. The magical jester appears shortly after the initial title card, speaking directly to the audience in a style that mirrors the original 1980s cartoon where characters would often explain the lesson learned in that day’s episode for younger viewers. Here, Orko sums up the film’s message with a wink, saying, “In today’s story, we saw muscles don’t necessarily make a man.” It’s a charming throwback to the franchise’s educational roots, even if he doesn’t interact with Adam or the rest of the cast just yet.
Midway through the credits arrives the most significant tease of all. Following Adam’s victory, Queen Marlena and Duncan discuss someone whose return once seemed impossible. Their conversation soon shifts elsewhere.
A mysterious figure is addressed as Force Captain Adora before responding, “No, not anymore.” As the Sword of Protection glows with power, Knight offers audiences their first glimpse of He-Man’s long-lost twin sister. For those unfamiliar with the mythology, Adora was kidnapped as a child by Hordak and raised on Etheria (Eternia’s sister planet), eventually becoming a Force Captain before discovering her true identity. Her appearance strongly suggests that a sequel could draw heavily from She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985), positioning her as a central figure moving forward. Questions remain regarding the actress behind the role as only part of Adora’s face is visible, and no casting announcement has accompanied the reveal.
Credits continue to roll before delivering one final sting. Back inside Castle Grayskull, Brie’s Evil-Lyn wanders among the aftermath of battle. Discovering Skeletor’s severed head lying abandoned on the floor, she picks it up and remarks, “I must say, you’ve looked better.” Skeletor may be defeated, but he is clearly far from gone.
Whether those plans ultimately lead to sequels remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: unlike that forgotten post-credit tease nearly forty years ago, Masters of the Universe is wasting no time making its ambitions known.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
Yonk
