Skeletor Embodies “Toxic Masculinity” According to ‘Masters of the Universe’ Director

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Statements made by Travis Knight, the director of the upcoming Masters of the Universe film from Amazon MGM Studios, have sparked discussion about the movie’s overall feel. The initial trailer suggested a fun and familiar adventure, staying true to the classic look, characters, and dialogue fans love. While some casting decisions and jokes were debated, the first glimpse of the film was mostly well-received. However, that positive reaction might be changing after Knight described the villain, Skeletor, as representing “toxic masculinity.”

Knight shared his thoughts in an interview with Empire, and the comment quickly spread online. Now, dedicated fans are wondering how this impacts the character’s history – and if they still want to see the movie Knight is involved with.

Knight’s Comments

During the interview, Knight shared his appreciation for Skeletor from the classic 1980s cartoon. He described Skeletor as a compelling villain – cool-looking, frightening, humorous, and surprisingly vulnerable, especially considering his iconic voice. Many fans likely feel the same way.

Knight explained how they chose Jared Leto to play Skeletor in the live-action movie. He was looking for an actor who could bring something unique to the character while still capturing the qualities Knight admired. Leto actually reached out to them, sharing his long-time passion for Skeletor and his desire to really make the role his own. Knight was pleased with the final result, describing Skeletor as a representation of harmful masculine traits.

Knight’s use of current, politically-charged language indicates he’s interpreting the character through a modern lens. However, the phrase “toxic masculinity” is often subjective and can be understood differently by various people.

Fans’ Analysis

A Hollywood screenwriting account on X (formerly Twitter) proposed that describing Skeletor as a symbol of toxic masculinity makes sense. As the villain in Masters of the Universe, he’s expected to have characteristics commonly linked to that term.

The term ‘toxic male’ describes someone exhibiting harmful behaviors and beliefs, often stemming from insecurity. These can include a sense of entitlement, arrogance, selfishness, and a tendency to put others down. They may also be easily offended, quick to anger, lack self-control, and exhibit manipulative or even violent tendencies. A core characteristic is often a deep-seated dislike of women and a willingness to exploit others.

I’d say Skeletor as a character fits that definition.

— Script Doctor (@ScriptDoctorPhD) February 6, 2026

YouTuber Valliant Renegade looked at the issue from a different angle. He argues that if “toxic masculinity” is actually a criticism of masculinity in general, then the impact on the character He-Man could be even bigger than on Skeletor.

Hold on… if they’re portraying Skeletor as embodying harmful masculine traits, what are they doing with He-Man’s character? It doesn’t make sense.

— Valliant Renegade (@ValliantRenegad) February 6, 2026

Skeletor has long been the classic villain. However, by trying to explain his evil using modern social and cultural terms, Knight might lose viewers who just want a straightforward, uncomplicated story.

What It Means for the Film

Skeletor is meant to be a villain, and that’s his role. However, relying on vague descriptions to tell the audience what to expect, instead of letting the character and story develop naturally, is starting to show its downsides, as seen with Knight’s approach.

Talk about Masters of the Universe has changed. Initially, people were excited about it as a fun escape, but now there’s worry it will become a battleground for another cultural argument. This conflict is what’s making fans hesitant.

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2026-02-09 16:57