Eternia has just welcomed new filmmakers to capture the Power of Grayskull.
Brothers Aaron and Adam Nee have signed on to direct a live-action adaptation of He-Man, Mattel's popular pulp fantasy franchise, as reported by Variety. The Nee brothers previously directed the 2015 indie action-thriller Band of Robbers, which was released to critical acclaim and featured a pre-Supergirl Melissa Benoist.
RELATED: Sony’s Masters of the Universe Lands 2019 Release Date
Titled Masters of the Universe, the fantasy/sci-fi film is written by David S. Goyer (Man of Steel), who had also been approached to direct before passing on the project. Filming is rumored to take place in Europe and was originally scheduled to begin principal photography this month to meet Sony's projected 2019 release date.
Taking place in the mystical land of Eternia, Masters of the Universe tells the story of Prince Adam, who channels the mythical Power of Grayskull through his Power Sword to transform into the ultimate champion, He-Man, and fight the evil Skeletor.
RELATED: McG Calls “Masters of the Universe” Movie His “Absolute Passion”
Originally beginning as an action figure line from Mattel that included prepackaged comic books telling the characters' backstories, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe went on to be adapted as a popular animated series that ran from 1983 to 1985, as well as a well-received revival series in 2002. A previous live-action adaptation in 1987, also titled Masters of the Universe, with Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor, proved to be a critical and commercial disappointment.
A live-action reboot of the franchise has been in various stages of development since 2009, when Sony obtained the cinematic licensing rights from Mattel. Goyer was hired to write the film in April 2017.
Masters of the Universe is slated to arrive in theaters on Dec. 18, 2019.