Poor He-Man. What’s a Conan-rip-off (homage?) aimed at younglings to do when he’s evicted from his home and has nowhere to go? That’s the problem Mattel’s project, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, faces right now as Warner Bros. decided to let their option lapse, changing their focus to the development of DC Comics characters.

Warner Bros. and Mattel have been battling over the direction of the film for some time and it is expected that Kung Fu Panda director John Stevenson will stay with the project as it looks for an investor. Producer Joel Silver will be exiting the project.
The film was intended to be another live-action version of the famed ’80s toyline and was tentatively titled Grayskull. The original big-screen adaptation was 1987’s Masters of the Universe which starred stage star Frank Langella as Skeletor. He went on the play Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon. »
- Erik Buckman

Read the full article on blog.reelloop.com

Warner Bros. and Mattel are parting ways on "Masters of the Universe," the live-action reimagining of the classic 1980s Mattel toy line/cartoon that WB and producer Joel Silver had been developing since 2007.According to Variety, Mattel and WB didn't see eye to eye over the direction of the project and made a mutual decision to let the option expire this month. The story revolves around He-Man, a prince who becomes a warrior battling the evil Skeletor for control of his magical homeland.Mattel will take back the property and set it up elsewhere. The expectation is that director John Stevenson ("Kung Fu Panda") will remain with the project, but not Silver, who is exclusive to WB. »
- Adnan Tezer

Read the full article on monstersandcritics.com

Just last January, Warner Bros. and Mattel announced that they're moving forward with a live-action reinvention of "Master of the Universe." (see full story of the announcement here)
Producer Joel Silver ("Matrix" films) has been developing this film since 2007 and hired "Kung Fu Panda" director John Stevenson to helm.
Well, Warner Bros and Silver have parted with Mattel on the project. They didn't see eye to eye over the direction of the production and made mutual decision to part ways.
Stevenson will remain as director, but Silver is out as producer since he's exclusive to WB. Mattel is currently looking to set up the property elsewhere. I suspect it's going to Paramount. The studio believes in the power of Greyskull :tongue »
- Manny

Read the full article on mannythemovieguy.com

We've recently received word that a couple of productions have hit some pretty major road bumps. First up, according to Variety, Warner Brothers has pulled out of the Masters of the Universe project. Universe has had a pretty troubled history all around: When a script review for Justin Marks Grayskull: Masters of the Universe script first hit the web over a year ago, there was much rejoicing. Peter even wrote  about five reasons why Marks' live action He-Man might be cool. Shortly afterwards, we learned that the project was basically dead, before it was resurrected with Kung Fu Panda director John Stevenson at the helm, along with producer Joel Silver. Now, Variety says, it turns out that "Mattel and WB didn't see eye to eye over the direction of the project and made a mutual decision to let the option lapse this month." Mattel is expected to shop the »
- David Chen

Read the full article on slashfilm.com

We heard once before that the new live-action He-Man, or Masters of the Universe, movie was D.O.A., but for the last 10 months or so it’s looked liked the film has been on track, with a director attached and more than one writer. However, even though it seems we’ll still see a new, updated version of the trials and tribulations of the muscled hero, it appears it won’t be at Warner Bros.
WB and producer Joel Silver have been developing a new Masters of the Universe for the last couple of years, but Variety is reporting that they and toymaker, Mattel, have parted ways because they weren’t able to see eye-to-eye on the direction the reinvention was going. The story (obviously) revolves around the character of He-Man, who is battling against the evil Skeletor for control over his magical homeland.
 
The hope/expectation is to »
- Ross Miller

Read the full article on screenrant.com

Toymakers Mattel are to offer their He-Man live-action film project to other studios after parting company with Warner Bros.
Warner and producer Joel Silver have been developing the film, to be called Grayskull: The Masters of the Universe, since 2007.
But Mattel and the studio failed to see eye to eye on the direction of the project, reports Variety, and made a mutual decision to let their deal lapse this month.
Director John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda) is expected to stay with the project, but not Silver, who is exclusive to WB.
The film will revolve around Prince Adam of Eternia who transforms into the superstrong He-Man by raising his sword. At the same time, his cowardly tiger Cringer becomes Battle Cat. They and several companions defend the magical land from evil sorcerer Skeletor.
Justin Marks wrote the screenplay, which was then reworked by Evan Dougherty who was brought on board in May. »
- David Bentley

Read the full article on blogs.coventrytelegraph.net

In the midst of a massive re-organisation, Warners has decided to skip on funding and producing a new live-action version of Masters Of The Universe. Despite the presence of mega-producer Joel Silver and some enthusiasm about re-igniting a popular toy franchise, the studio and rights holders Mattel just couldn't come to a compromise about the direction for the film. Several drafts by different writers have been thrown into the development maw for He-Man, Skeletor and co, and while Silver is off the project, Kung Fu Panda director...
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- James White

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He-Man may be master of the universe, but that universe doesn’t include Warner Bros. Variety reports that the WB and producer Joel Silver, after trying valiantly (and by “valiantly” we of course mean lamely) to re-invent the He-Man toyline for the movies have decided to part ways with toymaker Mattel, who will now be forced to find a new partner to bring Prince Adam and his nemesis Skeletor to the big screen once again. The reason given for the break-up is the usual Hollywood standby — “creative differences”. Word is, “Kung Fu Panda” director John Stevenson will remain attached to direct the film while Mattel tries to find a new home for their live-action toyline — er, I mean, movie. Obviously the lost of Warner Bros. will set the movie back some, as a new studio with the money to front the film must be found, and then you’ll have »
- Nix

Read the full article on beyondhollywood.com

Warner Bros. and Mattel have announced they are no longer collaborating on Masters of the Universe, a live-action reinvention of the signature Mattel toy line that WB and producer Joel Silver have been developing since 2007. The trades say Mattel and WB didn't see eye to eye over the direction of the project and made a mutual decision to let the option lapse this month. The story revolves around He-Man, a prince who becomes a warrior battling the evil Skeletor for control of his magical homeland. Evan Daugherty penned the latest draft of the script, which was titled Grayskull. Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) also wrote a draft. The film WB was developing was said to be a gritty fantasy that reimagines Adam as a soldier who sets off to find his destiny, happening upon the magical world of Eternia. Mattel will take back the property and set it up elsewhere. »
- James Cook

Read the full article on themovingpicture.net

In a story from Variety, Warner Bros. and Mattel will not be teaming up to make Masters of the Universe. The film is planned to be a live-action reinvention of the Mattel toy line. Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver have been working on this project since 2007.
Apparently, Mattel and Warner Bros. fell out over the direction of the project and decided "to let the option lapse this month." In the story, He-Man is a brawny prince who transforms into a warrior who becomes the last hope for a magical land called Eternia, which is being ravaged by technology and the evil Skeletor.
Mattel is now looking to set the property up at another studio. The plan is for director John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda) to remain attached to the project. Silver will not be involved as he is exclusive to Warner Bros.
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