Why Amazon is keeping Jared Leto away from ‘Masters of the Universe’ promotion

Amazon’s expensive fantasy reboot is earning positive reactions, but missing promo appearances are raising concern

Amazon MGM’s live action adaptation of Masters of the Universe is already facing questions before its June 5, 2026 release, and much of the attention surrounds one notable absence. Despite playing the film’s main villain Skeletor, Jared Leto has barely appeared in promotional material for the blockbuster fantasy reboot.

The film, directed by Travis Knight, stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam and He Man, with Idris Elba, Camila Mendes and Jared Leto among the supporting cast. The production reportedly cost around $175m and has been positioned as one of Amazon MGM’s biggest theatrical gambles in years after the project spent a long period in development before being rescued from Netflix.

While trailers have showcased the world of Eternia and introduced fans to the new version of He Man, Leto’s involvement has remained surprisingly muted. His Skeletor voice was briefly heard in promotional footage, but the actor himself has not heavily promoted the movie online or through public appearances. Reports published this week noted that Leto was absent from the film’s premiere and did not participate in CinemaCon promotion for the project.

Industry observers have linked the situation to a combination of commercial concerns and controversy surrounding the actor. In June 2025, Air Mail published allegations from multiple women accusing Leto of inappropriate behaviour. Leto has faced public criticism over similar accusations in previous years, although he has denied wrongdoing.

At the same time, several recent films featuring the actor struggled commercially. Tron: Ares became one of 2025’s major box office disappointments, while earlier titles including Morbius, House of Gucci and Haunted Mansion also failed to become major theatrical successes despite high expectations and substantial budgets.

Because of that track record, some analysts believe Amazon may be trying to focus marketing attention on the broader cast, the nostalgia surrounding the franchise and positive early reactions rather than on Leto himself. Early responses from critics have reportedly been stronger than expected, with praise directed toward the action, visuals and Travis Knight’s handling of the property.

The film follows Prince Adam returning to Eternia after years away and discovering the kingdom under Skeletor’s rule. Alongside Teela and Man At Arms, he must embrace his destiny as He Man to save his world.

Despite concerns about tracking numbers, Amazon still appears committed to launching the franchise as a major event film. Current projections suggest an opening between $25m and $35m domestically, though the studio will likely hope strong audience reactions can improve momentum after release.

The conversation around Leto’s absence has also spread online, with fans debating whether distancing the actor from promotion is a strategic move or simply a scheduling issue. Regardless, the discussion has added another layer of intrigue to a film that already carries years of fan expectation.

For Amazon MGM, the success of Masters of the Universe could determine whether the studio can transform nostalgic toy and cartoon properties into reliable blockbuster franchises in the streaming era.