Following the release of the first "Masters of the Universe" trailer, Jared Leto's voice performance as the villainous Skeletor has ignited significant online discussion. Many viewers noted that his vocal tone resembled Tom Hardy's portrayal of Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises." However, director Travis Knight has stepped forward to refute these claims, emphasizing that the character's voice was an entirely new design.
During an interview at CinemaCon, Knight explained that when developing Skeletor's voice, the team delved into discussions about previous iterations, including Alan Oppenheimer's classic 1980s interpretation, but had no intention of imitation. He pointed out that the original version deliberately featured an exaggerated, even somewhat comical voice to lessen the character's terrifying aspect. The new version, he said, aims to blend menace, humor, and dramatic flair.
Knight revealed that Leto spent considerable time finding the right vocal cadence, ultimately delivering a performance style that was both menacing and theatrical.
"Skeletor himself is an inherently dramatic character; he loves to overact and command attention, so we wanted the voice to reflect that quality while maintaining an unsettling aura," Knight stated.
Knight also mentioned that Leto understood from the outset that he would perform entirely behind Skeletor's skull mask, unable to convey emotion through facial expressions. Despite this, Leto fully committed, aiming to faithfully bring this iconic villain to life. The production team also referenced his physicality and vocal nuances from the set to help animators craft richer expressions and personality onto the skeletal face.
Regarding external speculation about the voice's inspiration, Knight stressed that this interpretation was not influenced by Bane or any other character. Instead, it was developed as a unique version after understanding the character's history. He believes this creative approach allows the character to retain classic elements while presenting a fresh take.
"Masters of the Universe" is slated for release in North America on June 5, 2026.
via： IGN