Idris Elba is about to bring the heat to Eternia! That’s right, the king of cool himself has been cast in the upcoming Masters of the Universe movie, which is based on those nostalgic Mattel toys you may have left in your childhood toy box… if you haven’t already sold them on eBay for way too much money.
So, what’s Idris doing in this toy-turned-movie mashup, you ask? Well, he’s playing Duncan, a.k.a. Man-At-Arms—because what could be more fitting for the guy who made “chiseled jawline” and “action hero” into a career? At 52, Elba is officially stepping into a role that requires him to wield big weapons (like you didn’t already know he’s got the chops for that) while teaching the royal family how to kick butt. It’s kind of like a medieval gym instructor, but with more armor and probably less talking about carbs.
Travis Knight, who brought Bumblebee to the big screen, is directing this wild ride, while Chris Butler, who previously worked on Kubo and the Two Strings (and will probably be drinking tea with magical forest creatures in the upcoming Wildwood), is handling the script.
Deadline spilled the tea on Elba’s character, saying that Duncan has been the weapons master and combat instructor for centuries (so basically, he’s been perfecting his “Don’t mess with me” face for a loooong time). He also “creates the Masters of the Universe elite strike force,” which sounds like a squad that does way more than just look cool in battle.
So yeah, expect this Masters of the Universe to be Elba-rated. Watch out, Skeletor, there’s a new guy in town who knows how to use, well, everything.
