Jared Leto’s Masters of the Universe Villain Sparks Online Debate
Jared Leto’s upcoming movie Masters of the Universe is already creating controversy all over social media before its release. In an interview with Empire magazine, Director Travis Knight described Jared Leto’s character Skeletor as “the embodiment of toxic masculinity,” creating buzz all over the internet.
What the Director Said
Praising Leto’s performance, Knight said the actor brought passion and depth to the classic villain. He also said, “I wanted someone to craft their own version of that. Jared approached us, because he loves Skeletor and has his own history with the character. He wanted to swing for the fences. And ultimately we landed on something that I’m really happy with. Skeletor’s kind of the embodiment of toxic masculinity.”
The Plot
The movie is scheduled for release in the summer of 2026 under MGM. It revolves around Prince Adam, aka He-Man, played by Nicholas Galitzine. Prince Adam crashes on Earth, getting separated from his sword, and then heads back home to his kingdom of Eternia, which is under the grip of the evil lord Skeletor. He does so in collaboration with Teela and Man-At-Arms, played by Alba Baptista and Idris Elba, respectively.
According to Knight, the contrast between Skeletor’s toxic qualities and those of He-Man, who embodies both kindness and strength, depicts two varieties of masculinity.
Fan Reactions
The “toxic masculinity” comment by the director himself has sparked a controversy all over the internet. Fans on Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube have been making memes and sharing mixed reactions. Some people think it’s a smart way to update an old character for modern times. Others are criticizing it as unnecessary and “woke,” saying it’s strange to add political meaning to a cartoon villain from the 1980s.
No official trailer has been released yet, but the controversy is already building hype for the movie. This film has been in development for 17 years, so fans are eager to finally see it come to life.
Despite the online debate, the movie continues production with its star-studded cast. Whether fans love or hate the new interpretation of Skeletor, Masters of the Universe is sure to be one of the most talked-about films when it arrives in theaters next summer.
