It’s undoubtedly fair to say that Gary Goddard’s “Masters of the Universe” wasn’t initially particularly well received. Having cost around $22 million to make, it grossed just $17.3 million at the global box office (per The Numbers). Even now, it holds a measly 21% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
That all being said, it was part of an incredibly popular wider franchise, is a quintessential part of 1980s popular culture, and has since garnered a devoted cult following.
The sci-fi sword and sorcery movie follows the iconic He-Man and his allies to Earth. There, they befriend two teenagers. Together, they attempt to stop the evil Skeletor from obtaining a powerful artefact that will enable him to take over not only He-Man’s home planet of Eternia, but the entire universe.
It stars Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor, along with a game supporting cast.
Released on August 7, 1987, “Masters of the Universe” will turn 39 this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be great to see how the core cast are looking today, compared to back when the movie hit theaters? Let’s do that right now…
Dolph Lundgren (He-Man)
GettySwedish actor, filmmaker, and martial artist Dolph Lundgren played He-Man in “Masters of the Universe.” He-Man is the heroic champion of Eternia and “the most powerful man in the universe.” He fights to protect his planet, Castle Grayskull, and to stop Skeletor from conquering the universe.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 29.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: A View to a Kill (1985), Rocky IV (1985).
GettyAge now: 68.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: The Punisher (1989), Universal Soldier (1992), The Expendables (2010).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Frank Langella (Skeletor)
GettyAcademy Award-nominated actor Frank Langella played Skeletor in “Masters of the Universe.” Skeletor is the movie’s main villain and He-Man’s archenemy. He’s an evil skull-faced overlord and sorcerer who seizes control of Castle Grayskull’s power and seeks ultimate power via the Cosmic Key.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 49.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970), Mel Brooks’s The Twelve Chairs (1970), Dracula (1979).
GettyAge now: 88.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Frost/Nixon (2007), Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jon Cypher (Man-At-Arms)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jon Cypher (L) in “Masters of the Universe.”
Actor and singer Jon Cypher played Man-At-Arms in “Masters of the Universe.” Man-At-Arms is a veteran soldier and He-Man’s loyal ally. He’s a skilled warrior and inventor who accompanies He-Man to Earth.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 55.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Lady Ice (1973), The Kingfisher Caper (1975), The Food of the Gods (1976).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jon Cypher in “Dynasty,” in which he appeared from 1983 until 1987. Unfortunately, Cypher is long-retired and more recent pictures of him are incredibly scarce and hard to come by.
Age now: 94.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Spontaneous Combustion (1990), Strictly Business (1991), Walking to the Waterline (1998).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Chelsea Field (Teela)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Chelsea Field (L) alongside Jon Cypher in “Masters of the Universe.”
Movie and television actress Chelsea Field played Teela in “Masters of the Universe.” Teela is Man-At-Arms’ daughter and He-Man’s ally. A fierce warrior in her own right, she’s the captain of Eternia’s elite guard.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 30.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Perfect (1985), Commando (1985).
GettyAge now: 68.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991), Andre (1994), Flipper (1996).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Meg Foster (Evil-Lyn)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Meg Foster in “Masters of the Universe.”
Movie and television actress Meg Foster played Evil-Lyn in “Masters of the Universe.” Evil-Lyn is Skeletor’s cunning and powerful witch ally, and a key member of his evil forces.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 39.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Carny (1980), Ticket to Heaven (1981), The Osterman Weekend (1983).
GettyAge now: 77.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: The Lords of Salem (2012), 31 (2016), Jeepers Creepers 3 (2017).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Christina Pickles (The Sorceress)
Above is a social media post with two pictures (top left and top right) of Christina Pickles in “Masters of the Universe.”
English actress Christina Pickles played the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull in “Masters of the Universe.” The Sorceress is the mystic protector of Castle Grayskull. In the movie, she is captured by Skeletor’s forces and imprisoned within a power-draining field.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 52.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Seizure (1974), Rush It (1978), It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (1984).
GettyAge now: 91.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Legends of the Fall (1994), Romeo + Juliet (1996), and The Wedding Singer (1998).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Billy Barty (Gwildor)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Billy Barty in “Masters of the Universe.”
Actor and dwarfism activist Billy Barty played Gwildor in “Masters of the Universe.” Gwildor is a diminutive alien inventor from the planet Thenoria. He created the Cosmic Key, a device central to the movie’s plot that allows inter-dimensional travel and unlocks great power.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 62.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: The Lord of the Rings (1978), Legend (1985), Tough Guys (1986).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2000 aged 76.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Willow (1988), UHF (1989), The Rescuers Down Under (1990).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Courteney Cox (Julie Winston)
GettyActress, producer, and “Friends” icon Courteney Cox played Julie Winston in “Masters of the Universe.” Julie is teenage orphan on Earth who discovers the Cosmic Key and subsequently becomes involved in the movie’s central conflict.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 23.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Down Twisted (1987).
GettyAge now: 61.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Cocoon: The Return (1988), Scream (1996), The Longest Yard (2005).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Robert Duncan McNeill (Kevin Corrigan)
GettyActor, producer, and director Robert Duncan McNeill played Kevin Corrigan in “Masters of the Universe.” Kevin is Julie’s boyfriend. He’s an aspiring musician who also gets pulled into the conflict with the Eternians.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 22.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Sharky’s Machine (1981).
Above is a 2024 social media post with a more recent picture of Robert Duncan McNeill.
Age now: 61.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Trekkies (1997), Infested (2002), FedCon XX: The SciFi Experience (2011).
Filmography info per IMDb.
James Tolkan (Hugh Lubic)
Above is a social media post with a picture of James Tolkan (R) in “Masters of the Universe.”
Veteran actor James Tolkan played Hugh Lubic in “Masters of the Universe.” Hugh is an Earth police detective who gets caught up in the movie’s events.
Age when “Masters of the Universe” released: 56.
Selected movie credits before “Masters of the Universe”: Serpico (1973), Back to the Future (1985), Top Gun (1986).
GettyAge now: 94.
Selected movie credits after “Masters of the Universe”: Dick Tracy (1990), Problem Child 2 (1991), Bone Tomahawk (2015).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“Masters of the Universe” is part of a wider franchise that comprises several animated series, comics, video games, toylines, and a load of miscellaneous merchandise. Notably, a rebooted live-action movie adaptation is set to be released on June 5, 2026.
That so many of the core cast of the original “Masters of the Universe” movie are still doing well is fantastic to see. However, it’s sad that not all of them are still around today.
May Billy Barty rest in eternal peace.
