Live-action He-Man movie that could have been

The writer reveals details of one draft version of the unmade movie’s script.

The unmade live-action He-Man: Masters of the Universe movie would have focussed on the superhero’s relationship with his trusted feline sidekick Battle Cat, reveals David S Goyer, in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.

Goyer, who has served as a scriptwriter on popular superhero media such as the Blade and the Dark Knight trilogies, had developed a script for the nixed film a few years ago. He revealed that the movie draft he had submitted explored a deep look at He-Man and Battle Cat’s dynamic.

The character of He-Man was developed first as part of a toy franchise, then subsequently made appearances as comics and on-screen versions. He is a superhero and alter-ego of Prince Adam, who turns into He-Man when he holds the mystical Sword of Power. He is accompanied by his trusted feline companion Cringer, who also dons a powerful alter-ego when the Sword of Power is pointed at him.

Goyer’s script had a storyline drawing on the version of the Masters of the Universe history that says that there was a line of He-Men who have wielded the abilities the Sword of Power grants before the onset of Prince Adam, the current He-Man. Battle Cat, who had previously served by the side of previous masters, has certain inhibitions about Prince Adam. The crux of the story was He-Man’s attempts at earning Battle Cat’s trust, and the latter’s coming to accept Prince Adam as a worthy successor of the powers.

The revelation comes on the heels of the new Masters of the Universe: Revelation animated TV show, which serves as a sequel to the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series of the 1980s. The new series, developed by Kevin Smith, is set to be released on Netflix.

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