MovieChat Forums > Masters of the Universe (1987) Discussion > Came out too late to capitalize on He-Ma...

Came out too late to capitalize on He-Man's popularity

posted 7 years ago by MickyMac (3182)
10 replies | jump to latest

One of the reasons the film flopped because the popularity of the cartoon and toyline was ending, the cartoon ended two years before the film was made, when they were making the film there was a huge decline in toy sales which Mattel lost 400 million dollars on, when the film came out it was pretty much promoting a dead toyline. Perhaps if it was made a few years earlier things could've been different or maybe it should've been made now were it would have a bigger audience most of them adults who grow up playing with the toys and watching the cartoon.

[–] MikeCable (1846) 7 years ago

Perhaps this lead to the film rights to this property being cheap at the time and Cannon swooped in to buy them and take a risk by making a motion picture out of it.

[–] MickyMac (3182) 7 years ago

Cannon did have a bad rap in cutting corners like budget cuts on Superman 4, the film did come from a desperate place for them, if they wanted the film to boost up falling toy sales they should've had a imagination capturing script or a ton of cool and expensive special effects & production coming from a far greater budget.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2408) 7 years ago

this was part of it

Other errors
No battle cat
No orko
No King Randor or Queen Marlena
they inserted a bunch of stupid 'mortals' who were not needed.

[–] MickyMac (3182) 7 years ago

If the film was made now it would have Battle Cat, Orko and Prince Adam's parents, would be a origin story and with be full of very expensive special effects.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2408) 7 years ago

hopefully. I'd really love to believe this with all of my heart. Saw how badly they screwed up JEM though with better special effects. So I'm still not optimistic.

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Also, He-Man would be African-American.

[–] MickyMac (3182) 7 years ago

Guessing the film was a desperate attempt by Cannon Films to save them from falling since they were already struggling. Also it was a desperate attempt by Mattel to boost up toy sales since the drop in popularity of the toyline happened big time.

[–] MikeCable (1846) 7 years ago

Someone should make a He-Man meets She-Ra XXX parody.

[–] Burk48917 (11368) 7 years ago

It wouldn't surprise me if Robot Chicken did one.

[–] Cheepshooter (672) 7 years ago

Don't go back and watch the cartoon. You can't unwatch the scenes with Orko. Geez.