‘Masters of the Universe’ Rumor Sets Up the Return of Orko

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The trailer for the new Masters of the Universe movie features many familiar faces from the He-Man universe. Alongside main characters like Prince Adam/He-Man, Teela, Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Man-At-Arms, and Battle Cat, fans will also spot some more obscure but well-loved characters, including Roboto, Ram-Head, Trap Jaw, Goat Man, and Fisto – who is different from the Star Wars character Kit Fisto.

It’s noticeable that Orko, He-Man’s well-known wizard friend, isn’t featured in any of the promotional materials for the 2026 Masters of the Universe reboot. He was a hugely popular character in the original series, but appears to be missing from the new film’s marketing. Interestingly, Orko was also left out of the 1987 Masters of the Universe movie. The question is whether the new film will make the same choice, or if they’re planning a surprise appearance for the charming wizard later on, perhaps after the credits or in a future sequel.

Who is Orko?

Orko is a magician who comes from a magical place called Trolla. He’s usually seen floating, and wears a large hat and scarf that cover most of his body, leaving only his big yellow eyes and pointed blue ears visible. Because Orko isn’t originally from the world of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, his spells often go wrong in a funny way.

Orko is a key friend to He-Man, but he wasn’t part of the original Masters of the Universe toy collection. He first appeared in the animated series as a funny character. Because he became so popular with fans, a toy of Orko was eventually made, and he’s now a well-known character in the franchise. However, his ability to float made him too difficult to include in the 1987 Masters of the Universe movie.

Gwildor Replaced Orko in the Original ‘Masters of the Universe’ Film

It’s a bit strange, but Orko, who was originally created for the cartoon series, was replaced by another original character in the first live-action movie. For the 1987 film, Masters of the Universe, they created Gwildor to take Orko’s place. Gwildor wasn’t a magician like Orko; he was shown as a blacksmith who used technology. Even though Masters of the Universe wasn’t successful with critics or audiences, Gwildor surprisingly gained a dedicated fanbase among fans of the franchise.

Fans of Masters of the Universe always playfully debated which sidekick was better: Orko, the magical one, or Gwildor, who represented science. These two characters finally appeared together on screen in the 2024 series Masters of the Universe: Revolution. This new series officially connected the 1987 Masters of the Universe movie to the original show and even acknowledged the long-standing fan rivalry, ultimately having Orko and Gwildor team up to protect Eternia.

The original 1987 Masters of the Universe movie couldn’t include the character Orko in live-action, which is why Gwildor was created instead. However, the new Masters of the Universe film coming out in 2026 doesn’t have that limitation. Although some fans are already comparing the reboot unfavorably to the Dolph Lundgren movie because it places the Masters of the Universe characters in a modern Earth setting, the bigger question is why Orko isn’t appearing. Is the new film avoiding the character, or is there a larger plan to reveal him later on?

Where Is Orko in the New ‘The Masters of the Universe’ Movie?

Considering how much director Travis Knight is incorporating from the larger He-Man and the Masters of the Universe universe, it’s surprising that the character Orko isn’t included in the movie. While the 1987 film faced technical challenges, today’s CGI technology would easily allow for a character like Orko to be created. The previous reason for avoiding more fantastical elements – that the franchise was trying to be more grounded – doesn’t make sense anymore, especially since Krypto the Superdog has appeared in two recent DC live-action films. Plus, Masters of the Universe isn’t avoiding the franchise’s playful and over-the-top ideas, as evidenced by the inclusion of Battle Cat.

It’s probable the filmmakers are planning to introduce Orko in a future sequel. Leaving him out of the first movie creates anticipation and gives them a strong element to build on for the next installment—much like The Super Mario Bros. Movie did with Yoshi, teasing his bigger role in a potential Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Considering this, it’s a good bet Orko will appear in a post-credit scene, setting him up for a later film.

The recent trailers for Masters of the Universe may hint at why Orko isn’t present at the start of the film. It looks like the movie begins after Skeletor has already taken over Eternia, and He-Man needs to gather allies to win it back. This suggests Orko may have disappeared during Skeletor’s reign and will reappear once Prince Adam restores peace. Alternatively, the new movie and any future sequels could show how the original series’ story began, potentially featuring Orko’s arrival on Eternia as a key event. Regardless, it seems Orko is planned to appear in a later film, and there’s one actor who would be perfect for the role.

‘Masters of the Universe’ Can Do What ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Failed To Do

When it was announced that the movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps would include the robot H.E.R.B.I.E., fans started a campaign to have actor Griffin Newman voice the character. Newman mentioned on his popular podcast, Blank Check with Griffin and David, that he’d be interested, and his experience with voice acting seemed ideal. However, H.E.R.B.I.E. ended up being a non-speaking role, with Matthew Wood, known for his work on Star Wars, providing the robot’s sounds and vocalizations.

One of Phil LaMarr’s most memorable voice acting roles is Orko in the Netflix series Masters of the Universe: Revelation and Masters of the Universe: Revolution. He perfectly captured Orko’s playful and kind nature, but also brought a surprising depth of sadness to the character. A standout moment was when Orko transformed from a comedic sidekick into a powerful wizard during his battle with Scare-Glow. This scene showcased his magical abilities and heroic sacrifice, allowing his friends to escape – reminiscent of Gandalf’s fight with the Balrog.

As a film fan, I always appreciate a good casting choice, and while Griffin Newman as Orko in the live-action Masters of the Universe post-credit scene isn’t a huge celebrity name like Donald Glover as Yoshi, it’s honestly perfect. Sometimes, the best choice is sticking with the original voice – think Jim Cummings as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger in Christopher Robin, or Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. If Masters of the Universe actually featured Orko, voiced by Newman, it would show the filmmakers are really committed to the entire He-Man and the Masters of the Universe universe and are dedicated to giving fans the most amazing experience possible.

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2026-04-09 22:21