Jared Leto takes on the role of the big bad villain Skeletor in Masters of the Universe, opposite Nicholas Galitzine’s He-Man. The movie arrives in theaters on Friday, and reviews from its LA premiere and early screenings are already in now that the embargo has lifted. Interestingly, Leto has been receiving largely positive responses for his performance.
The comments from critics suggest that he may have redeemed himself after the disastrous outcomes of his movies like Morbius and Tron: Ares. Clint Gage of IGN wrote that Leto’s villain “gives a delightfully weird and cartoonish energy to every scene he’s in.” YouTube critic Jeremy Jahns also praised Leto in his review, “Standout performance and character in Masters of the Universe: Jared Leto’s Skeletor. He was the most fun happening on screen at any given time.”
RT approved critic Maxance Vincent also humorously expressed surprise at Leto’s performance, writing on X, “It is with immense sorrow and deep regret that I must report to you all that Jared Leto gives the best performance of his career in this.” It appears that Leto may have finally found an ideal role in the purple-hooded villain.
| Masters of the Universe (2026) | Details |
| Director | Travis Knight |
| Based on | Masters of the Universe by Mattel |
| Cast | Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin, and Kristen Wiig |
| Distributed by | Amazon MGM Studios |
| RT Score (As of June 3, 2026) | 75% |
| Release Date | June 5, 2026 |
Travis Knight’s new movie has received positive responses, though some criticism has been directed at its tone and franchise-building elements. In addition to Galitzine and Leto, the film stars Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, and Kristen Wiig as the voice of Roboto.
Why Fans Were Skeptical About Jared Leto as Skeletor
Jared Leto’s reputation for playing grotesque villains in big-budget productions hasn’t been particularly strong. Many fans disliked his version of the Joker in the DCEU, especially in the 2016 film Suicide Squad. His tattooed interpretation in Batman lore felt jarring to many viewers and was often seen as inferior to Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Knight. Moreover, the off-screen antics reportedly associated with his extreme method acting did little to win fans over.
He later appeared in other major studio productions, including Sony’s Morbius and Disney’s Tron: Ares, and both films suffered disappointing outcomes at the box office. Many viewers felt that Leto was seriously miscast in both roles, with his performance in Morbius in particular becoming an internet punchline.
Given the criticism surrounding his previous performances, fans did not expect him to rival Frank Langella’s portrayal of Skeletor in the 1987 version of Masters of the Universe. His casting also became a source of controversy for Disney, as Leto faced accusations of se*ual misconduct around the release of his Tron film.
What You Need to Know About Jared Leto’s Skeletor
Jared Leto’s interpretation of the skull-faced sorcerer appears to draw heavily from classic He-Man mythology. In Mattel’s original narrative, Skeletor seeks to conquer the planet Eternia by uncovering the secrets of Castle Grayskull and becoming the Master of the Universe. He is He-Man’s archenemy and the ruler of Snake Mountain in the canon.
In some versions of the He-Man canon, Skeletor was once Keldor, a blue-skinned noble who was disfigured and transformed through dark magic. Other versions give the villain a different backstory, portraying him as an ancient being of pure malice bound to magic and chaos.
Skeletor’s powers have always been rooted in dark magic in He-Man stories. He is a master sorcerer capable of firing destructive energy blasts and wielding the occult arts. His primary weapon is the Havoc Staff, though he has also wielded swords in mini-comics. He can also use a crystal ball for remote viewing.
He commands vast forces, including monsters, soldiers, and other dark creatures. In addition to being a dark sorcerer, he is also a general who strategically plans large-scale warfare against Eternia.
Leto’s Skeletor is likely to be more theatrical and psychologically intense. He comes across as a calculating warlord playing a long game. The movie may also keep the villain’s backstory intentionally vague.
What are your expectations for Leto’s performance as the villain Skeletor? Let us know in the comments below!
Masters of the Universe arrives in theaters on June 5, 2026.
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