Eternia has fallen under the grip of Skeletor’s dark reign in Masters of the Universe, and the fate of the kingdom now rests in the hands of He-Man. Returning from his exile on Earth, Adam must embrace his destiny once more and lead the fight against the forces threatening his home. While heroes rally behind him, Skeletor commands a fearsome army of villains determined to keep Eternia under their control.
The newly released “Forces of Evil” featurette shines a spotlight on the skull-faced tyrant and the dangerous allies who stand at his side.
Watch the “Forces of Evil” Featurette:
Skeletor’s Relentless Pursuit of Power
At the center of Eternia’s darkness is Skeletor, voiced by Academy Award-winning actor Jared Leto. According to producer Jason Blumenthal, the villain’s hunger for power stems from something much deeper.
“Skeletor, on his surface, seems like he just wants power and he’s willing to do whatever it takes, but it’s what’s lacking in him that makes him want that power,” says producer Jason Blumenthal. “And what’s lacking in him is what’s inside of Adam. I’d call it a moral compass. You either have one or you don’t. And if you don’t, you are evil.”
A longtime fan of He-Man, Leto brings both familiarity and fresh energy to the iconic character. His performance balances menace with unexpected humor, creating a memorable interpretation of the classic villain.
“We were shooting a scene and I was laughing so hard that he brought me to tears,” director Travis Knight says of Leto. “He will make these choices that you don’t see coming and that really does help to make Skeletor distinctive. He’s just an extraordinarily memorable villain.”
Evil-Lyn Brings Magic, Ambition, and Chaos
Standing closest to Skeletor is Evil-Lyn, portrayed by Alison Brie. As a powerful enchantress and trusted lieutenant, she plays a crucial role in advancing Skeletor’s plans. Yet beneath her loyalty lies a thirst for power of her own.
Brie was drawn to the film’s ability to balance action, humor, and self-awareness.
“I think the most exciting thing to me about this iteration of He-Man is the sense of humor,” Brie says. “Skeletor and Evil-Lyn had a really funny rapport in the original series. Some of the iterations since then have been more serious, and I like that this movie has a meta quality. It’s able to laugh at itself, but also deliver for the fans and take itself seriously when it needs to.”
The complicated dynamic between Evil-Lyn and Skeletor remains one of the story’s most intriguing elements.
“She vacillates between sort of loving Skeletor, and idolizing him, and being very excited for him to get the power, but secretly she wants to have all the power,” Brie says. “She knows how to press his buttons, but she’s also there to build him up. She notoriously has no loyalty to Skeletor. She likes to pretend that she does, but we all know the power dynamic between Evil-Lyn and Skeletor is super volatile.”
Trap Jaw Joins the Villainous Army
Another formidable member of Skeletor’s ranks is Trap Jaw, the fearsome cyborg warrior brought to life by Sam C. Wilson. With extensive prosthetics and an intimidating appearance, the character presents a unique challenge for the actor.
The way that I play him, he’s a really gruesome kind of guy,” Wilson says. “His jaw hurts his head, so he’s got a headache and none of it is very comfortable. With the amazing work that the prosthetics team has done, I can make this guy feel eerie and strange.”
The result is a villain who looks as unsettling as he is dangerous.
Goat Man Charges Into Battle
Adding even more muscle to Skeletor’s army is Goat Man, portrayed by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, the 2018 World’s Strongest Man. The towering strongman, known worldwide for his imposing presence, credits He-Man as one of his early inspirations.
Playing the horned and demonic warrior was a full-circle moment for Björnsson.
“All of us were at some point influenced by these characters, which were so popular back in the day,” Björnsson says. “I grew up with the generation that had He-Man, and being able to be a part of this was just an honor for me.”
The Battle for Eternia Begins June 3
With Skeletor’s forces stronger than ever, He-Man and his allies face their greatest challenge yet. Packed with action, humor, and beloved characters from the iconic franchise, Masters of the Universe promises an epic showdown between good and evil.
Masters of the Universe opens in Philippine cinemas on June 3. Distributed locally by Columbia Pictures PH.
