Skeletor from Masters of the Universe Represents Toxic Masculinity
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The Masters of the Universe trailer packed a lot of excitement, but one standout aspect was just how much fun it looked. Nicolas Galitzine nailed the dual roles of Prince Adam and his powerful alter-ego, He-Man. However, Skeletor, the iconic villain of Eternia, was only briefly showcased. Jared Leto is stepping into the role of the infamous bony antagonist known for his wicked laughter and devious schemes. Director Travis Knight shared that Leto’s portrayal will bring a fresh take on the character.
“Skeletor was a really interesting villain,” Knight noted. “He looked cool. He was scary. He was funny. He was insecure. And, of course, he had this distinctive voice.” Revamping Skeletor meant reimagining his character. “I wanted someone to craft their own version of that,” Knight explained. “Jared approached us because he loves Skeletor and has his own history with the character. He wanted to swing for the fences. Ultimately, we landed on something I’m really happy with. Skeletor’s kind of the embodiment of toxic masculinity.”
While it seems they have a solid vision for Skeletor, there were initial ideas that could have altered his appearance significantly, such as removing his skeletal features and hiding him behind a golden skull mask.
Knight was clear about his stance on that idea. “I said, ‘Forget that. Skeletor has a skull face,’” he stated firmly. “That’s just the way it is. It’s a living, talking, emoting skull, and that’s that.”
We’ll see how Skeletor and He-Man fare when Masters of the Universe hits theaters on June 5. For a look at other films to watch for, keep an eye on upcoming releases.
