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From “House of Wax” to House of “He-Man”
Remember the news from a couple of weeks ago – initiated in a we-live-by-the-fluff British tabloid – suggesting that Legendary Pictures had picked up the rights to “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”? You didn’t need a plunger to sink that shit. It had fabricated fluff all over it – especially the bit about Brad Pitt playing the undied muscleman himself.
More accurate news has crossed the wire regarding the project – previously set up at Fox2000 with John Woo onboard – this weekend, with Aint it Cool suggesting that the king of all thing’s 80’s action cinema, Joel Silver, has put his money on the table. Yep, Silver will produce the long-awaited film version of “Masters of the Universe” (And to think, if it were the 80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger would probably be his go-to guy for the lead).
Adam Rifkin is no longer onboard the project as the writer; instead newcomer Justin Marks (the upcoming “Super Max”) will captain the pen.
Rifkin (“Small Soldiers”, “Homo Erectus”) recently told Moviehole that the “He-Man” experience had been very exciting. “He-Man was a cartoon I liked watching when I was younger. It’s been really neat getting to be involved with so many of the big screen versions of properties I loved when I was a kid. He-Man is a movie that’s definitely going to be made! Where and with whom are all pretty top secret at present, but when the shroud of mystery is finally lifted I can promise you, He-Man fans will not be disappointed.”
There were plenty of names being tossed about for the role of the blonde hero when Woo was onboard – everyone from Paul Walker to Triple H, Chris Showerman and The Rock – but I dare say with the change of regiment, will come a fresh ‘He-Man’ wish list.
Showerman (“George of the Jungle 2”, CSI Miami, Clint’s producing partner) recently told IronMan magazine that the film, as far as he knows, is still a “long way off. Don’t know what’s going on there. I hope the project makes it back to the frontburner. They’ve put it on hold for some reason .Even if I don’t get the role, I’m definitely going to see the movie –sure to be better than the last one”. (No, I don’t believe Clint knows anything about it; so save yourselves an email).
Too that. What a shambles that late 80s “He-Man” movie was. I believe they were actually chasing Sylvester Stallone for that originally, but when Sly passed, they went straight to his “Rocky IV” co-star Dolph Lundgren. Ah… the Canon Film Group. Memories to be treasured.
There’s been some doozie rumours about the supporting characters, too – remember Jennifer Garner as She-Ra? John Glover (from “Smallville”) as Skeletor? Heck… Nicolas Cage as Skeletor!? Cage quickly buried those rumours.
So there you have it, Joel Silver – whose turned somewhat into a cheesy horror producer these days – is making the “He-Man” movie.
