Idris Elba in talks to play Man-at-Arms in Masters of the Universe film

Actor Idris Elba is in negotiations to join the cast of Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films' live-action Masters of the Universe film. According to reports, he will play the role of Duncan, Man-At-Arms in the film. Directed by Travis Knight, the film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2026.

Masters of the Universe is headlined by Nicholas Galitzine who stars as He-Man. Other cast members include Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn and Camila Mendes as Teela.

Masters of the Universe is based on Mattel's famous toy line that spawned a successful animated TV series (1983-85) as well as a 1987 film. It centres on Price Adam of Eternia who, thanks to his Power Sword, turns into He-Man and is embued with superhuman strength and abilities, which he uses to defend his native planet and Castle Grayskull.

According to its official synopsis, Masters of the Universe introduces a 10-year-old Prince Adam, who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword — the only link to his home on Eternia. After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe!”

The script of the film is written by Chris Butler following initial drafts written by David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee. It will be produced by Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, as well as Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner.

According to the animated TV series, Duncan, a noble and skilled warrior, has served as the royal family's weapons master and combat trainer for centuries. Known as Man-At-Arms, he was trained by the legendary Dekker and is a seasoned veteran of the Great Unrest. Alongside his adopted daughter, Teela, he frequently patrols the borders of Eternia, always vigilant for threats of evil.

Last seen in a cameo role in Extraction 2, Idris Elba has Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which is currently in post-production. In it, he reprises his voice role as Knuckles. He is also set to star alongside John Cena and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the upcoming action-comedy Heads of State. Apart from these, his upcoming line-up includes the animated adult comedy Fixed and the survival thriller Above the Below.