4 hours ago
Conservatives Criticize He-Man Pronouns in 'Masters of the Universe' Trailer
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The trailer for the live-action Masters of the Universe film dropped on January 22, 2026, introducing Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam, who transforms into the iconic He-Man using a magical sword. In the footage, Adam lives incognito in the modern world with an office job after Eternia faces attack, searching for his sword to return home.
A key scene shows Adam at his desk with a placard displaying "Adam Glenn He/Him," interpreted by some as a playful reference to his He-Man identity and the character's name inherently using "he/him" pronouns. This detail ignited immediate conservative backlash online, with complaints framing it as evidence of progressive overreach in media.
Writer Jon Del Arroz, who describes himself on X as a "#1 bestselling author by standing for Christian values," posted on January 22, 2026: "Now they're making a Masters of the Universe and giving He-man pronouns. These people won't stop until they ruin everything." Del Arroz followed up, calling the film "just woke because of the gay he/him pronouns" and criticizing casting as "gingercide and race swap garbage." His initial post garnered nearly 3,500 replies, amplifying the discussion.
Other X users echoed the sentiment. One wrote, "You just fucked up my childhood memory. He-Man is not a he/him.....you dumb f*ckers. He is a bad ass skeleton fighting son of a bitch that knows he is a man." Another stated, "Woke ruins everything," referencing the "gay and retarded tidbit." Critics described it as the "woke mind virus" infiltrating masculine heroes.
Defenders pushed back, noting the joke's obvious pun on "He-Man." X user @4thOfJuly365 posted, "A LOT of people didn’t understand that this is a gag because it’s HE-MAN. We got so anti-WOKE we can’t recognize jokes about it apparently." Others highlighted He-Man's traditional skimpy attire and transformation, dismissing outrage as misplaced.
The trailer amassed 16 million views in one day, showcasing Galitzine in action sequences, sword discovery, and battles in Eternia. Production wrapped in June 2025, rebooting the 1980s cartoon property. No official statements from Amazon MGM Studios or the filmmakers address the pronoun controversy.
For LGBTQ+ communities, the reaction underscores ongoing tensions around pronoun usage in media, where simple acknowledgments of gender identity spark debates. Affirming language like "he/him" on the placard aligns with person-first practices increasingly common in workplaces and entertainment, reflecting broader cultural shifts toward inclusivity for transgender and nonbinary people. While the gag targets He-Man's hyper-masculine archetype, conservative responses frame it as erasure of traditional heroism, potentially alienating audiences open to diverse storytelling. LGBTQ+ outlets like Out.com portray the backlash as disproportionate, emphasizing the trailer's excitement over a throwaway line. Star Observer similarly notes playful intent amid global trailer buzz. The discourse highlights how 1980s nostalgia intersects with modern identity politics, with no unified community response beyond media commentary. As release approaches, the film may continue drawing polarized views on its blend of action and contemporary humor.
