Jared Leto took a frightening approach to playing Skeletor in Masters of the Universe. A behind-the-scenes video shows the actor with blood-like makeup across his face. The preparation offered co-stars a glimpse of the villain before visual effects completed his appearance.
The footage, originally shared by the visual effects and pre-visualization company Proof Inc., shows Leto performing on set before filmmakers digitally transformed his face. His body appears inside a practical blue muscle suit, while the film replaces his face with Skeletor’s CGI skull.
Jared Leto’s approach to the Masters of the Universe villain
Director Travis Knight revealed Jared Leto’s personal connection to the original cartoon. He explained that Leto was a major fan of the 1980s show, with Skeletor as his favorite character, which prompted him to approach the production team himself.
Because of his background with the series, Leto understood the traits that made Skeletor an iconic villain, including his distinct look, nasal voice, laugh, humor, and insecurity. Knight noted that Leto wanted to “swing for the fences” with a bold performance that honored the character’s roots while establishing a fresh cinematic identity.
The actor also smeared blood-like makeup across his face between takes. Knight explained that Leto wanted his co-stars to see something frightening instead of simply seeing Jared Leto. That choice helped create stronger reactions during the scenes.
Moreover, Leto and Knight spent considerable time developing Skeletor’s voice. They decided not to imitate Alan Oppenheimer’s famous nasal delivery from the animated series. Instead, Leto created a darker, theatrical sound with a dry, Shakespearean quality. Knight said the process focused on preserving Skeletor’s distinctive voice and laugh while giving Leto room to create his own interpretation.
The original cartoon used a silly voice to soften Skeletor’s frightening appearance for younger viewers. Leto’s version keeps that contrast but adds more menace and dramatic weight. Reviews also described his performance as flamboyant, cartoon-inspired, and self-aware, with some comparisons to Tim Curry’s memorable villain performances
The movie follows Prince Adam, played by Nicholas Galitzine, as he returns to Eternia after years away. He must accept his identity as He-Man and face Skeletor’s threat. Camila Mendes plays Teela, while Idris Elba portrays Man-At-Arms.
Directed by Travis Knight, Masters of the Universe marks the franchise’s return to live action after the 1987 film starring Dolph Lundgren. Amazon MGM Studios released the movie in the United States, with Sony Pictures handling international distribution. It opened in theaters on June 5, 2026.
