MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Gets Screenwriters

We can add Mike Finch and Alex Litvak to the names of screenwriters who have attempted to adapt the Mattel toy line “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” to the big screen. Columbia has hired the duo, whose script for the Robert Rodriguez-produced Predators franchise relaunch finally got that project out of long time development hell, to hopefully work similar magic on the toy property.

First hitting toy store shelves in 1982, the toys featured the powerful, sword-wielding He-Man and his allies battling the forces of the evil Skeletor for control of Eternia, a planet where magic and advanced technology co-existed.

Before Columbia took over the film rights for the characters, a Masters of the Universe film had been in development at Warner Brothers for several years under producer Joel Silver. Kung Fu Panda director John Stevenson was set to helm the project with writers Justin Marks and Evan Daugherty taking passes at a screenplay. Ultimately, none of their worked satisfied Mattel and the project moved on to Columbia last fall. No new director has been attached to Columbia’s attempt at getting the film to the screen.