December 21, 2024: Jared Leto has officially been cast as Skeletor in the upcoming live-action film Masters of the Universe, marking another iconic villain role for the Oscar-winning actor. Masters of the Universe is based on Mattel’s beloved toy line that inspired a popular animated TV series (1983–85) and a cult classic 1987 film. According to Variety, the movie will be directed by Travis Knight, best known for his work on Bumblebee.
As Skeletor, Leto will portray the arch-nemesis of He-Man, Eternia’s greatest warrior. Known for his menacing character and pursuit of ultimate power, Skeletor is a formidable villain, commanding a large army of henchmen. Joining Leto in the cast will be Sam C. Wilson as Trap Jaw, Kojo Attah as Tri-Klops, and Hafthor Bjornsson (famous for playing The Mountain in Game of Thrones) as Goat Man. Additionally, the cast includes Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Skeletor’s lieutenant, Camila Mendes as Teela, He-Man’s trusted ally, and Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms, Teela’s father.
Leto’s portrayal of Skeletor continues his trend of playing nerve-wracking villains in high-profile franchises. He previously portrayed the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016), an evil CEO in Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and the title character in Morbius (2022), the living vampire. His role in Masters of the Universe will add another memorable antagonist to his growing portfolio.
In addition to his role in Masters of the Universe, Leto is set to co-star in Disney’s Tron: Ares alongside Greta Lee and Evan Peters, expanding his presence in major film franchises.
Leto is also in final negotiations to join the star-studded cast of Barry Levinson’s thriller Assassination, a film about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The movie has already drawn major names such as Al Pacino, Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, and Bryan Cranston. Assassination will follow Dorothy Kilgallen, an influential crime reporter played by Chastain, who investigates the possibility that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone in JFK’s murder. As she digs deeper, Kilgallen faces dangerous opposition from the CIA, FBI, and powerful mafia figures.
Jared Leto’s 2024 slate promises to be packed with high-stakes performances, from playing one of the most notorious villains in Masters of the Universe to tackling complex, real-world mysteries in Assassination.
