Streaming giant Netflix seems determined to use an iconic 1980s toy line and animated series to prove that one platform can carry multiple versions of a franchise, each catering to a specific age group. The IP in question is Mattel’s “Masters of the Universe,” better known as the “He-Man” animated cartoon. Two animated productions are being developed for Netflix. One is a reimaging fit for all ages; the other is a direct sequel to the 1983 animated series but for grown-ups (as the kids who watched it then are now). Its director Kevin Smith has recently teased a sample from the series soundtrack, courtesy of rising soundtrack maven Bear McCreary.

Collider tells us that noted filmmaker Kevin Smith has shared on social media a bit of incidental music for the Netflix original animation “Masters of the Universe: Revelation,” which he is directing. On a Twitter post dated February 9, Smith included a video of him reacting to a musical piece composed by Bear McCreary, which he identifies as the leitmotif to which Prince Adam of Eternia would transform into He-Man. The clip even includes the voice of Adam/He-Man for “Masters of the Universe: Revelation,” as voiced by Chris Wood (Mon-El in The CW series “Supergirl”).

McCreary first came into public attention when he scored the reimagining of “Battlestar Galactica” (2004) on the Sci-Fi channel (now SyFy). Since then he has composed for other TV series (“Outlander” for Starz), films (Warner-Legendary’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”) and even videogames. His scoring work for the 2018 “God of War” game earned him an award from the BAFTA. And judging from his theme for the He-Man transformation, it sounds like he will do an epic job for this Netflix project. Not for nothing do we see him and Smith head-banging in that tweet.

“Masters of the Universe: Revelation” looks to be giving the classic toy line and animation franchise the same mature treatment that Netflix, Warren Ellis and Adi Shankar gave to the Konami videogame series “Castlevania.” In addition to Chris Wood, other celebrities in the voice cast include Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mark Hamill, Lena Headey and Alicia Silverstone. Kevin Smith reveals that voice work for the series was completed last July 2020, ahead of the series’ release on Netflix sometime this year.

Image from What’s on Netflix

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