Leto's skeletor: a toxic masculinity makeover?
Jared Leto’s take on Skeletor is generating considerable buzz, and it’s not just the villain’s familiar cackle that’s drawing attention. The latest Masters of the Universe trailer offers a glimpse into Leto's approach, hinting at a darker, more psychologically complex interpretation of the iconic foe.
A departure from the cartoon's over-the-top villainy
Forget the cartoonish, almost comedic, laughter of the past. Leto delivers a Skeletor that’s unsettlingly restrained, punctuated by moments of menacing trash talk. The line, “The universe shall quake in my shadow,” delivered in a hushed tone, suggests a villain who believes his power is self-evident, requiring no theatrical display. This is a far cry from the bombastic pronouncements audiences have come to expect, and it’s proving a point of contention – and fascination – among fans.
Director Travis Knight, in previous interviews, established the intention to portray Skeletor as “the embodiment of toxic masculinity,” a concept that clearly informs Leto’s performance. Knight's vision, gleaned from discussions with Leto, aims to retain the core elements that made the original Skeletor compelling – his cool aesthetic, inherent scariness, humor, and underlying insecurity – while layering on a more nuanced psychological profile. The actor, known for his transformative roles in Suicide Squad, Blade Runner 2049, and Morbius, seemed uniquely suited to this challenge.
What’s particularly intriguing is Leto’s proactive approach to the role. Reports indicate he approached the Masters of the Universe team, expressing a genuine passion for Skeletor and a desire to create a truly unique interpretation. Knight described Leto’s ambition as “swinging for the fences,” a sentiment that appears to have translated into a performance that deliberately subverts expectations. The result, according to Knight, is a Skeletor that's a chilling reflection of modern anxieties.
And in a move that will surely delight purists, Leto’s face will be largely absent from the film. Knight emphatically stated, “Fk that shit. Skeletor has a skull face,” rejecting earlier designs featuring a golden skull mask in favor of a “living, talking, emoting skull.” This commitment to the character’s established visual identity underscores the filmmakers’ respect for the source material.
The trailer also provides glimpses into the narrative setup. He-Man, having spent years exiled on Earth, returns to a ravaged Eternia, bearing the weight of responsibility for the world’s current state. Skeletor’s ascent to power, achieved through the usurpation of He-Man’s family’s authority, has plunged the realm into chaos. The stage is set for an inevitable confrontation, with He-Man rallying allies, including Idris Elba’s Man-At-Arms, to reclaim his home and restore order. The film's release date, June 5th, is rapidly approaching, and the initial reactions suggest a significant departure from the franchise's established formula.