Masters of the Universe’s 2026 Movie Can Officially Redeem the Series' Most Terrifying Villain

Masters of the Universe’s new film can finally redeem the series' most terrifying villain. Anticipation is building for MGM’s new Masters of the Universe film. Its trailer has garnered millions of views in just a short while. Fans are thrilled to see He-Man and Skeletor fight on the big screen, but the movie should redeem another franchise heavyweight.

MGM released the trailer for director Travis Knight’s Masters of the Universe, and it showcased many of Eternia’s denizens, including icons like He-Man and Skeletor, as well as more obscure selections, such as Spikor and Mekanek.

Yet missing from the trailer was one of Masters of the Universe’s biggest, and baddest, villains: Hordak.

Hordak Shook Up the Masters of the Universe Franchise in 1985

Hordak Hated Both He-Man and Skeletor

Hordak and his Evil Horde came late to the Masters of the Universe game, debuting three years after the franchise started in 1982. Intended to be the primary antagonist for the Masters spin-off She-Ra: Princess of Power, Hordak was an alien warlord, and the ruler of Etheria. With his Evil Horde in tow, Hordak unleashed a reign of terror.

Any franchise with the longevity of Masters of the Universe will have variations in its characters and their backstories, but in every iteration, Hordak was Skeletor’s mentor. Ironically, the two villains have completely different modes of operation: Skeletor largely relies on magic, whereas Hordak is almost exclusively science-based. Together, they made a formidable pair before falling out.

Hordak appeared extensively in She-Ra: Princess of Power cartoon, despite being marketed as part of the Masters of the Universe line. Hordak rarely appeared in the original Masters cartoon, and his interactions with He-Man were minimal. However, Hordak still managed to scare a generation of children with his demonic appearance and cruel nature.

The 2000s Masters of the Universe Reboot Failed Hordak

The Show Was Canned Before Hordak Could Make a Full Appearance

Masters of the Universe was rebooted in the early 2000s, complete with a new toy line, cartoon and comic book. Hordak, who had left an impression on fans, seemed to be a shoo-in for a return as well. Fans got Hordak, sort of. The show ran for two seasons, and teased Hordak throughout.

Many fans believed Hordak would be the villain of Masters of the Universe season two, but the producers instead opted to focus on King Hiss. While fans might have been disappointed with the choice, the showrunners made it work. Meanwhile, they continued to tease Hordak’s return through flashbacks and dialogue. Hordak seemed inevitable.

Unfortunately, Masters of the Universe was canceled after season two, leaving the Hordak storyline unresolved. The fleeting glimpses fans got of Hordak throughout the show’s run promised great and terrifying things, but they never came to fruition. Hordak appeared in the 2018 She-Ra reboot, but it had no ties to the Masters cartoon.

That Hordak never got his chance to shine is one of the biggest injustices in the history of the Masters of the Universe franchise. Hordak managed to scare the pants off the kids who saw his earliest appearances, and there was every indication his 2000s counterpart was going to do the same, but then he was just dropped.

Will Hordak Appear in the Upcoming Masters of the Universe Film?

The Plot to Masters of the Universe Is Still Under Wraps

While Hordak was not present in the new Masters of the Universe trailer, his disciple Skeletor, who will be played by Jared Leto, was, as were Beast-Man, Spikor, Evil Lyn and Trap Jaw. Unlike the previous Masters film, released in 1987 and starring Dolph Lundgren, this film leans heavily into the mythos.

So far, only the bare minimum of Masters of the Universe’s plot is known: Prince Adam was sent to Earth as a child to hide, but apparently now Skeletor has tracked him down. It is not known if the movie’s story will cover Skeletor’s origin. Yet even if it does, there may not be much room for Hordak.

That is not to say he cannot appear in some fashion, or at least be alluded to by Skeletor, the Sorceress or Man-At-Arms. Hordak terrorized Eternia for many years before his exile, and he still casts a menacing and long shadow over the land, which can translate to a reference, even if in passing.

Bringing Hordak to the Live Action Masters of the Universe Will Be Challenging

Hordak Brings an Edge That a Family-Friendly Film Might Have Trouble With

The Masters of the Universe film can also introduce Hordak in a post or end credits scene. However, if they do this, then they run the risk of repeating the same mistake the 2000s cartoon made: give Hordak an incredible buildup, but then potentially not be able to follow through due to no fault of the creators.

Another issue in bringing Hordak to live-action is convincing the audience he is a scary and intimidating villain. Most entries in the Masters of the Universe line are family-friendly, putting severe dampeners on what the cartoon could and could not depict. Yet even the hints that seeped through were enough to be terrifying.

It stands to reason then that the forthcoming Masters of the Universe film will follow in the franchise’s kid-friendly footsteps, which could make realizing Hordak on-screen difficult. The Masters cartoons spoke of the many atrocities Hordak committed in the universe during his bloodthirsty campaigns of conquest, but never showed them.

Then there is the matter of Hordak’s backstory. While not overly complicated, it is rooted deep in the lore of the Masters of the Universe franchise and could take at least one film to fully establish. Hordak has ties in some fashion to nearly every major player, be it Skeletor, King Hiss or Randor.

If Hordak Shows Up, She-Ra Is Right Around the Corner

She-Ra Would Make a Perfect Companion Film to Masters of the Universe

If Hordak is brought into the live-action Masters of the Universe film series, then his former protégé Adora, the future She-Ra, cannot be far behind. Adora is Adam’s sister, kidnapped as an infant by Hordak and raised to be one of his soldiers. Adora could appear in a sequel, and turn on Hordak during the film’s climax.

Skeletor will be Masters of the Universe’s main villain, and this is a logical choice given the character’s popularity and familiarity with mainstream audiences. The franchise has shorted Hordak in recent years, and the new film is the perfect place to prove, once and for all, he is its best villain.