MovieChat Forums > Masters of the Universe (1987) Discussion > Frank Langella is freaking amazing in th...

Frank Langella is freaking amazing in this movie.


If he knows that he's playing the bad guy in a cheap, silly movie that's kind of a commercial for toys, he doesn't show it.

He's so into it that all his silly comic book villain dialogue comes out sounding like Shakespeare.

It's such a contrast to that dead piece of wood known as Dolph Lundgren.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z55W6ihUY-c
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He did it for his kids and absolutely loved playing the part.

I was so happy to discover that Skeletor was one of his favorite parts!

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He has said that he had a lot of fun playing Skeletor and I believe that he worked with the director and writers to make him a very real world villain. His theater training helped make Skeletor very Shakespearean and be viewed as someone who could actually exist as opposed to a cartoon/action figure villain.

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Whoever wrote his speech deserves some sort of award. great writing and great hammy acting by Langella

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOsHoqhbUIU

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Can see why it would be a lot of fun if your playing Skeletor.

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If you can look up the video (on youtube) where he talks about why he took the role and that it is in fact his favorite role ever. It's pretty cool and made me view the entire movie in a better light.

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To please his son yeah.

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Yes some reporter gave him an opening to bash the film once and he refused. Class act all the way...

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He's the main reason why this movie is so damn underrated. Bad movies just don't have villains of that caliber. Skeletor has a powerful screen presence, imposing and commanding, yet he's so camp you don't take him seriously and can laugh/appreciate his charm. Really makes him interesting. He's scary when he gets mad and zaps that goon and funny when he's reeling off all this hammy Shakespearean dialogue. He wasn't just a lame cartoon or dime a dozen 2D bad guy.

The juxtaposition of Langella's Skeletor with Lundgren's god-like He Man really gives this film an awesome & unique dynamic.

How many a$$holes we got on this ship, anyhow?!

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I think he was the best thing about this movie, but I don't think that the film is otherwise bad, in fact this film is criticised more for not including more elements of Eternia than anything else.




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but I don't think that the film is otherwise bad


I didn't mean it was a bad movie, I meant most people think this is a bad movie, but in my opinion bad movies don't have characters like Langella's Skeletor, therefore it's a good movie :)

How many a$$holes we got on this ship, anyhow?!

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I know you like this movie Lonestarr. I was not addressing your post specifically.






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How old is Langella now? Has he retired from acting? If he's willing and able to do it, I'd love for him to reprise Skeletor in the upcoming MOTU movie!

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Sad thing about the movie flopping is we never got to see Frank play the role again. Had this movie been a huge hit, he goes down in history as one of the most iconic screen villains of all time..

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Just watched this for the first time in decades via Netlfix instant streaming. Yeah, he's really into this alone should account for a few stars on IMDB ratings.

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"Let this be our final battle!"

Just... golden. :P

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Yes indeed a great performance from an excellent actor

"I'm just a happy camper! Rockin' and a-rollin'!" - Patrick Bateman, American Psycho

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If he knows that he's playing the bad guy in a cheap, silly movie that's kind of a commercial for toys, he doesn't show it.

The one actor that I considered to have same caliber to Frank Langella as Skeletor, was Paul Freeman as Ivan Ooze in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iaRz_mkG324 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2vU9kI3eTO0

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Frank once said he did it for his son because his son was a huge fan of the cartoon, and even though the film flopped Frank says Skeletor still ended up being one of his favorite roles.

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I've always thought that Jack Palance was Skeletor this whole time. I guess I was wrong.

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Why would you think it was Jack Palance when the credits clearly state it's Frank Langella and Jack Palance isn't even in the credits? Don't you watch and read the credits?

I'll let you know when I come-up with a new signature, .

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I'm not going to remember if I saw the credits or not for a movie I saw 20+ years ago. Even try to. All I remembered was that I thought Jack Palance was Skelator.

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Fair enough, but you could still go to this site or another one to find-out.

I'll let you know when I come-up with a new signature, .

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Frank is the man, it took me a long time to accept he was Dracula, skeletor, and uncle Doug in cutthroat island.

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He also played Nixon in Frost/Nixon, and was Oscar nominated for that role. He has played many villainous roles, like Skeletor and the evil uncle from Cutthroat Island, which tanked epically.

"I hear drinking beer makes you stupid."
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Uncle dawg deserved his own movie!

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