G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Director Jon Chu in Talks to Helm MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

After many years of delays, another adaptation of the popular toy line and 80's cartoon series featuring He-Man and his fantastical consorts is moving forward at Columbia Pictures.

Masters of the Universe, a toy line of fantasy action figures that evolved into cartoon and comic book series, drew it's inspiration from properties such as Conan the Barbarian and Star Wars. The storyline revolves around the conflict between the heroic He-Man and the evil Skeletor on planet Eternia. Eternia is ruled by King Randor and Queen Marlena. Their son is Prince Adam, who pretends he is lazy, clumsy, careless, irresponsible and almost as cowardly as his pet tiger Cringer. However, Adam possesses a magic sword that when lifted over his head and inciting the words, "By the power of Grayskull...I have the Power!" transforms him into He-Man, "The Most Powerful Man In The Universe."

The property has already been adapted for film once in 1987 with Dolph Lundgren in the role of He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. For the past 25 years multiple studios have tried to continue the film franchise; most recently Columbia Pictures hired screenwriters Mike Finch and Alex Litvak to produce a script treatment. Now, word has come out that G.I. Joe: Retaliation director Jon M. Chu is in negotiations to helm the film. there's still no word how soon the studio plans to move forward with the project, as no production start or theatrical release date has been set.