New in-depth issue on Skeletor, Cringer and all the He-Man heroics in 'Masters of the Universe'

Issue #67 of befores & afters magazine covers the visual effects of Masters of the Universe.

DIGITAL MAGAZINE members can download the issue right now from the shop post.

Inspired by the original animated series that introduced He-Man and the world of Eternia to audiences in the 1980s, Travis Knight’s Masters of the Universe brings the iconic mythology into live-action for a new generation. The film, from Amazon MGM Studios, follows the story of Adam (Nicholas Galitzine), separated from his home world as a child after an attack by Skeletor (Jared Leto). Adam then returns to Eternia 15 years later after rediscovering the Sword of Power. With Skeletor now ruling the kingdom, Adam must reunite with his allies, reclaim his identity as He-Man and save his family and his world.

Realizing that world on screen required a substantial practical and digital effects effort. From the vast landscapes of Eternia and Castle Grayskull to fantastical creatures— including He-Man’s sidekick Cringer—effects artists had to translate the distinctive look and spirit of Masters of the Universe into a convincing live-action universe.

The visual effects effort was led by visual effects supervisors David Vickery and Tim Burke, with Rich Yeomans serving as visual effects producer. Chris Corbould was the film’s special effects supervisor. Prosthetics designer Barrie Gower was responsible for several practical make-up effects and prosthetics appliances on the show. VFX vendor- wise, the work was led by Industrial Light & Magic, DNEG, Rodeo FX, Cinesite, Untold Studios and Host VFX (acting as the in-house visual effects team), with previs and postvis by Proof, Inc.

In this special issue of befores & afters magazine, we speak to Vickery and a host of the main visual effects vendors about the film’s key characters, including Skeletor, He-Man, Beast Man, Cringer and Roboto. We also dive into a number of the main environments and battle sequences.

You can also grab the issue in PRINT from Amazon (that’s the US store, make sure you try your local Amazon store, too).