The upcoming live-action Masters of the Universe movie is bringing one of the most famous cartoon villains to the big screen. Jared Leto, who plays the skull-faced sorcerer Skeletor, went to surprising lengths to make his character truly frightening. Director Travis Knight recently shared details about Leto’s unusual on-set behavior and what fans can expect when the film arrives in theaters this week.
Jared Leto Used Fake Blood to Shock the Cast on Set
The Oscar-winning actor known for his intense method acting took things to another level while filming the Amazon MGM Studios production. Director Travis Knight told ScreenRant that Leto would show up to set with fake blood smeared on his face to look more terrifying.
“He would do something unexpected every single day, in ways that would delight me, that would horrify me, that would make me laugh,” Knight said about working with Leto.
The director explained that this unpredictable behavior actually fit the character perfectly. Skeletor is supposed to be scary, funny, and unstable all at once. Leto’s willingness to go to extremes helped bring that mix of emotions to the role.
Why Leto Has Been Missing from Promotional Events
Eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Jared Leto has not appeared at any red carpet events or press junkets for Masters of the Universe. While Nicholas Galitzine (He-Man) and Camila Mendes (Teela) have been doing interviews, Leto has been completely absent from the promotional tour.
Reports suggest there are two possible reasons for this. Some sources say Leto was unhappy with how Skeletor turned out in the final cut. Others point to past allegations of inappropriate behavior that the studio might want to avoid bringing attention to.
Despite his absence from the press tour, Leto was very present during filming. Knight confirmed that the actor spent significant time on set bringing Skeletor to life.
Critics Are Praising Leto’s Performance as Skeletor
Early reviews for Masters of the Universe started coming in after the LA premiere, and critics have surprising things to say about Leto’s work. Many are calling it a comeback performance after disappointing turns in movies like Morbius and Tron: Ares.
Clint Gage from IGN wrote that Leto’s villain “gives a delightfully weird and cartoonish energy to every scene he’s in.” YouTube critic Jeremy Jahns also praised the performance in his review.
Fans who have seen clips online are excited about what Leto brought to the role. A new 49-second clip shows Skeletor laughing maniacally after a victory speech, only to awkwardly stop and explain to his troops that the fist raise means he is finished.
One fan on X wrote, “Yes!! I was hoping they kept this side of Skeletor.” Another said, “Jared Leto and Alison Brie understood the assignment. Skeletor and Evil-Lyn steal the whole damn thing.”
Viewers also noted that Leto’s voice is completely unrecognizable in the role, which many see as a positive sign of his commitment to the character.
What Knight Has Said About This Version of Skeletor
Director Travis Knight previously described his take on Skeletor as the “embodiment of toxic masculinity” in an interview with Empire magazine. Knight said he wanted someone who could create their own version of the character while keeping what made the original cartoon villain special.
“Skeletor was a really interesting villain,” Knight told Empire. “He looked cool. He was scary. He was funny. He was insecure. And then of course he had this distinctive voice.”
Knight added that Leto approached the production because he loves Skeletor and has his own history with the character. “He wanted to swing for the fences. And ultimately we landed on something that I’m really happy with.”
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Everything We Know About the Masters of the Universe Movie
Masters of the Universe hits theaters on June 5, 2026. The film will be released in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and worldwide through Amazon MGM Studios.
The movie follows 10-year-old Prince Adam, who crashes to Earth in a spaceship and gets separated from his magical Power Sword, the only link to his home on Eternia. Almost two decades later, he tracks down the sword and gets pulled back across space to defend his home planet from Skeletor’s evil forces. To defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam must uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe.
The cast includes:
- Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man
- Camila Mendes as Teela
- Jared Leto as Skeletor
- Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn
- Idris Elba as Duncan/Man-at-Arms
- Morena Baccarin as The Sorceress
- James Purefoy as King Randor
- Charlotte Riley as Queen Marlena
- Hafthor Bjornsson as Goat Man
- Sam C. Wilson as Trap Jaw
- Kojo Attah as Tri-Klops
Travis Knight, who directed Bumblebee, is behind the camera. The film carries a reported budget of $180 million, making it the most expensive collaboration between Mattel Films and Amazon MGM Studios to date.
The UK premiere took place on May 27, 2026, at Cineworld Leicester Square in London. Early reactions suggest that Leto’s Skeletor might be the standout part of the movie, with critics praising his commitment to making the villain both menacing and funny.
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