Masters of the Universe Director Confirms Major Connection to 1980’s Flash Gordon

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Travis Knight has revealed the source of inspiration for Flash Gordon, and once viewers recognize it, they’ll always see that influence in the film.

1980’s Flash Gordon and Its Influence on Masters of the Universe Explained

Even people who know a little about Flash Gordon can easily see how much it inspired Masters of the Universe. Knight described exactly how and where Flash Gordon influenced the final look and feel of the movie.

I really loved the music in the 1980 film Flash Gordon, and it heavily influenced the musical feel of this movie. Queen’s soundtrack was unusual for its time, but it was also fantastic!

Knight really focused on creating a vibrant and musical feel for the film. He challenged his composer, Daniel Pemberton, to make something truly special, and he believes they achieved that goal. A big boost was having legendary guitarist Brian May contribute to the score.

Mike Hodges directed Flash Gordon, based on a script by Lorenzo Semple Jr., drawing from the classic pulp adventure series. Sam J. Jones starred as Flash Gordon, with Melody Anderson and Max von Sydow also featuring in the cast. While the film didn’t perform well at the box office when it came out, it remains a beloved part of pop culture, largely thanks to its memorable soundtrack by Queen.

Where the Masters of the Universe Are Heading Next According to Director Travis Knight

After the 1980 film Flash Gordon didn’t quite succeed, a new take on a classic hero arrived nearly five decades later with Masters of the Universe. Directed by Rob Letterman and written by Chris Butler, Aaron and Adam Nee, and David Callaham, the film features Nicholas Galitzine as Adam Glenn, also known as He-Man. He embarks on a space-based adventure with his allies to defeat the evil Skeletor, played by Jared Leto.

The movie premiered in theaters on June 2nd and has received mostly excellent reviews from both critics and viewers. It’s expected to earn around $35 million during its opening weekend, which is a significant achievement given the competition from other films currently in theaters, like Backrooms and Obsession.

When asked about a possible sequel, Knight said he wouldn’t rule it out if someone asked him to make one. However, he prefers to approach each film as a standalone story. “I’ve never made a sequel before,” he explained, “and I like to tell these characters’ stories as if we only have one chance. I think we’ve achieved that with this movie.”

Knight shared his deep love for the characters and the expansive world they inhabit, hinting that this film is just the beginning. He expressed confidence in knowing where future stories could go and who would be perfect to play the roles, should they get the chance to continue the series.

Masters of the Universe is in theaters now.

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2026-06-05 01:37