Recent comments from Travis Knight, director of Amazon MGM Studios’ Masters of the Universe, have prompted new questions about the tone of the film. The first teaser trailer promised a light-hearted romp through Eternia and Earth, with the iconic imagery, dialogue, and characters fans expect. Despite some questionable casting choices and jokes, reactions to the first look were generally positive. That momentum may have taken a hit, however, after Knight described Skeletor as “the embodiment of toxic masculinity.”
Adam holding the sword in Masters of the Universe – Amazon MGM Studios, YouTube
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Knight made his remark in an interview with Empire, and it quickly circulated online. Now, longtime fans are questioning what this means for the legacy character — and whether they’re still interested in seeing Knight’s film.
Knight’s Comments
In the interview, Knight expressed admiration for Skeletor’s character and design in the 1980s cartoon. “Skeletor was a really interesting villain,” Knight said. “He looked cool. He was scary. He was funny. He was insecure. And then of course he had this distinctive voice.” It’s an admiration likely shared by many fans of the character.
Jared Leto in a Helmet in Tron Ares – YouTube, Disney
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Knight went on to discuss the process of casting He-Man’s arch-nemesis for the live-action film. He wanted to find an actor who could craft his own version of the character around the attributes that Knight found interesting. The role of Skeletor ultimately went to Jared Leto. “Jared approached us, because he loves Skeletor and has his own history with the character,” Knight said. “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.”
Using contemporary, ideological language suggests Knight is approaching the character through a modern ideological framework. Unfortunately, “toxic masculinity” is an inherently loaded term that can change meanings depending on the listener.
Fans’ Analysis
Hollywood screenwriting account Script Doctor on X suggested that calling Skeletor the embodiment of toxic masculinity may be appropriate. Since Skeletor is the villain of Masters of the Universe, he should have the negative traits that one might associate with the term.
A toxic male is insecure, entitled, obnoxious, selfish, demeaning, thin-skinned, prone to anger, undisciplined, manipulative, quick to violence, lack of self-control, misogynistic, and exploitive… just to name a few traits.
I’d say Skeletor as a character fits that definition.
— Script Doctor (@ScriptDoctorPhD) February 6, 2026
However, YouTuber Valliant Renegade considered the issue from the opposite perspective. If “toxic masculinity” is meant as a condemnation of masculinity itself, he suggests the implications for He-Man may be even more drastic than for Skeletor.
Wait… if Skeletor is “toxic masculinity” then what have they done to He-Man?! These people are a mess https://t.co/Yyltm4hX2C
— Valliant Renegade (@ValliantRenegad) February 6, 2026
For generations, Skeletor has been the archetype of evil. By using contemporary socio-cultural language to describe the villain, Knight risks alienating an audience that wants a simple story without any cultural baggage.
What It Means for the Film
Ultimately, Skeletor is supposed to be evil — that’s his function. But the consequences of Knight leaning on ambiguous buzzwords to set audience expectations, rather than letting the character and story speak for themselves, are becoming clear.
He Man in Masters of The Universe – YouTube, Amazon MGM Studios
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The conversation around Masters of the Universe is shifting from excitement for an escapist fantasy to concern that it will be a proxy for another cultural debate. That tension, more than any single word, is what’s giving fans pause.
What do you think of Travis Knight’s comments? Does they put you off watching the film? Let us know in the comments!
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