Escape Artists

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Adaptation Hires PREDATORS Screenwriters

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 11th, 2010 at 11:29 pm

Screenwriters Mike Finch and Alex Litvak, the guys who wrote the upcoming Predators reboot, have been hired to write Columbia’s adaptation of Masters of the Universe.  This is Columbia’s first move on the project since they picked it up last fall when–as Heat Vision reports–”Mattel and Warner Bros. parted ways after the sides couldn’t agree on a creative vision.”  Mattel has final approval over the story.  The 80s animated TV series based on the toyline is about a warrior named He-Man who fights against the evil Skeletor.

The pitch from Finch and Litvak attempts to balance a cinematic approach while respecting the characters.  I assume that Justin Marks’ (The Legend of Chun-Li) script followed by Evan Daughtry last May for Warner Bros’ failed to accomplish this task.  Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch of Escape Artists are still producing.

If you’re unfamiliar with Masters of the Universe, hit the jump for more info about the property.

Sony and Escape Artists Are Now THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 23rd, 2009 at 12:43 pm

You would think that with all that Greyskull Power, the “Masters of the Universe” adaptation could get off the ground but its been struggling since 2007 where Mattel was trying to develop it with Joel Silver at Warner Bros.  Unfortunately (if you’re a He-Man fan), Silver and Warner Bros. couldn’t come to an agreement on the creative direction of the film and I find that surprising because I didn’t think a “Masters of the Universe” movie could have a creative direction.  The project had gained some momentum with Justin Marks (“The Legend of Chun-Li) writing a screenplay for director John Stevenson (“Kung Fu Panda”).  Now that the project is at Sony, co-producers Escape Artists will have  Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch start over from scratch.

For those that don’t know, “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” is based on a cartoon and toy-line about a prince who becomes a warrior battling the evil Skeletor for control of his magical homeland.  I have no idea why they’re struggling to make this into a movie.

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