The Five Actors Who Spanned Both Universes

The live-action adaptations of Masters of the Universe have strong ties to the Star Trek franchise, with five actors from the He-Man movies appearing in various Star Trek series and films. the 1987 Masters of the Universe movie featured Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor, while the upcoming 2026 reboot, directed by Travis Knight , stars Nicholas Galitzine and Jared Leto in those roles.

Despite their different settings, both franchises share themes of heroic optimism, advanced technology, and epic battles between good and evil. The overlap in casting creates a unique connection between these two iconic properties.

Idris Elba: From Man-At-Arms to Krall

Idris Elba joins the 2026 Masters of the Universe as Man-At-Arms, the Captain of the Royal Guard and adoptive father of Teela. In Star Trek Beyond, Elba portrayed Krall, a mutated Starfleet captain turned vengeful villain. His physical transformation for the role showcased his commitment to intense character work.

Elba's involvement in both franchises highlights the versatility of the actors involved and the willingness to take on diverse roles.

Chelsea Field and Scott Bakula: A Star-Crossed Couple

Chelsea Field played Teela in the 1987 Masters of the Universe film, helping He-Man protect the Cosmic Key. While she never appeared in any Star Trek production, she is married to Scott Bakula, who played Captain Jonathan Archer in Star Trek: Enterprise.

Their relationship even inspired proposed concepts for future Star Trek projects , demonstrating the creative potential of the crossover between these two franchises.

Meg Foster: From Evil-Lyn to Onaya

Meg Foster's memorable portrayal of the sorceress Evil-Lyn in the 1987 film brought a chilling presence to the role. She later guest-starred as Onaya , an energy vampire, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, targeting Jake Sisko during his writing phase.

Foster's ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters has made her a standout in both franchises.

Robert Duncan McNeill: A Starfleet Veteran

Robert Duncan McNeill first gained attention as Kevin Corrigan in the 1987 Masters of the Universe. He later became widely known as Lieutenant Tom Paris in Star Trek: Voyager, a role he reprised in animated form.

He also previously appeared as Nicholas Locarno in Star Trek: The Next Generation, showcasing his long-standing connection to the franchise.

Frank Langella: A Skeletor and a Bajoran Politician

Frank Langella's iconic performance as Skeletor in the 1987 movie defined the character for a generation. He also made an uncredited appearance as Bajoran politician Jaro Essa in the premiere episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, a role he undertook as a personal favor for his children.

These crossovers demonstrate the deep,often surprising links between two major pop culture universes.

What's Still Unknown

While the connections between Masters of the Universe and Star Trek are intriguing, there are still many unanswered questions. Who will be the next actor to appear in both franchises? How will the upcoming 2026 reboot of Masters of the Universe further explore the connections between these two universes?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the overlap between these two franchises has created a unique and fascinating dynamic that will continue to captivate fans for years to come.