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"John Stevenson to Direct 'Masters of the Universe'" Matt Holmes

According to sources at Latino Review, Stevenson, co-director of "Kung Fu Panda," went into Warner Bros. offices and gave the pitch of a lifetime for "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe."

Warner Bros. is so blown away by the meeting, they are anxious to get the ball rolling. Presumably Stevenson’s pitch did not involve Justin Marks’ script.

Stevenson who made his directorial debut with "Kung Fu Panda," has a history in art animation, beginning as an art designer on "The Muppet Show," working on the visual art effects of "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal," and as a storyboard artist on "Shrek 2" and "Madagascar."

Latino Review tells us to expect an official trade announcement in the coming days.

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"Evan Daugherty Penning 'Grayskull,' The Long-Awaited 'He-Man' Adaptation" Josh Wigler

By the power of Grayskull, we have a screenwriter! The long-gestating “He-Man” film adaptation—which will be titled “Grayskull” based on He-Man’s own fortress—has recruited a scribe to write the newest draft of the screenplay.

Just as the unimpressive Prince Adam transforms into the herculean He-Man, so too will newcomer Evan Daugherty rise from anonymity to pen the latest draft of “Grayskull” for Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Daugherty will work off of a previous draft written by “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” screenwriter Justin Marks.

For those of you who did not grow up with the wonderful action figures and television show from the 1980s, “He-Man” told the story of Prince Adam, who transformed into the impossibly buff (and awesome) warrior known as He-Man. Every week, He-Man brought his sword to bear upon the nefarious Skeletor and his evil lackeys as they tried to conquer Castle Grayskull, Prince Adam’s fortress, as well as the source of his powers.

. . . In August, Justin Marks spoke with MTV News and emphasized the darker approach that “Grayskull” is taking, straying away from the campy nature of the “He-Man” cartoons. Just like “Batman Begins,” the screenwriter’s take on “Grayskull” would reinvent the characters in a way that explained some of their sillier qualities.

Whether or not newcomer Daugherty’s latest version of the script will hold true to that edict remains to be seen. Even with the confirmation that “Kung Fu Panda” director John Stevenson is taking the helm, you can nonetheless expect “Grayskull” to deliver a grittier take on the “He-Man” mythos than the last big screen attempt, starring Dolph Lundgren.

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"Warner Bros. Out of He-Man's World" Michael Fleming

Warner Bros. and Mattel will be parting company on "Masters of the Universe," the live-action reinvention of the signature Mattel toy line that WB and producer Joel Silver have been developing since 2007.

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. 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.

As Disney's Marvel Entertainment acquisition and WB's overhaul of DC Comics and its movie output shows, branded properties are important commodities. The owners of those brands now have more direct involvement—and higher expectations.

The situation is reminiscent of Paradox Entertainment's decision several years ago to decline an option renewal on the Robert E. Howard "Conan the Barbarian" franchise, after WB made numerous attempts to reinvent the franchise with major filmmakers. Paradox aligned with Avi Lerner's Millennium Films, with Marcus Nispel directing. That deal has strict progress-to-production stipulations.

Mattel, which still has "Hot Wheels" with WB and Silver Pictures, has become proactive in setting properties for films since aligning with CAA. Among the deals: one for Universal and Playtone to turn "Major Matt Mason" into a star vehicle for Tom Hanks, one with Paramount for "Max Steel" and one with Universal deal for a live-action musical to be based on a new toy line that aspires to add a fresh twist to monster lore, with "Hairspray" producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

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"He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" Finds Home at Columbia

He-Man may have found a new home.

Just weeks after “Masters of the Universe” parted ways with Warner Bros., the Mattel toy property is in negotiations to be pre-emptively picked up by Columbia with Escape Artists attached to produce.

After months of deal-wrangling, Warners picked up “Universe” in 2007, hiring several writers and earlier this year set John Stevenson to direct. The two companies eventually began seeing two opposing visions for the movie and when the option came up, both sides decided to let it lapse.

Stevenson is no longer attached and the project would be built from the ground up.

The 1980s show, named “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,” followed a blond warrior named Prince Adam who, when uttering the magic words, "By the power of Grayskull—I have the power," turned into the heroic He-Man. He and his allies—Battle Cat, Man-at-Arms and Orko—defended their planet Eternia from the evil forces of Skeletor, who tried week after week to conquer the fortress Castle Grayskull, which imbued He-Man with his powers.

Run by partners Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, Escape Artists’ credits include “The Taking of Pelham 123,” “Knowing,” and “The Pursuit of Happyness.”

On Wednesday, Universal picked up another Mattel property, bringing Barbie to the big screen.

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Originally posted by Robtard
Here's hoping they cast Matt Damon as the lead.

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Originally posted by BruceSkywalker
why don't they just get dolph again?

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Originally posted by Robtard
-He's a shit actor

-He's aged very poorly

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Originally posted by BruceSkywalker
yes he is


yes he has


but honestly i have no idea who can play him

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Originally posted by Robtard
Matt Damon, I already told you.

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Originally posted by Robtard
Here's hoping they keep He-man in that uber-gay studded bandoleer and furry loincloth.

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Originally posted by FistOfThe North
my picks for adam


brock lesnar
that chatham dude
the guy who's palying as capt. a
the guy who's playing as thor
drew brees
eli manning
fred from youtube
stone cold
toby mcguire


skeletor

chris walken
benicio deltoro
the guy who played the new freddy kruger
dude who played g.g. in spiderman 1
the guy who played as whiplash in ironman 2



ha..