After spending 18 years in development hell, the Masters of the Universe cinematic reboot finally got off the ground. Amazon’s highly anticipated live-action adaptation is scheduled to release next year, and media outlets are filled with news regarding the film and its casting, with Nicholas Galitzine wielding the Power Sword as He-Man and Camila Mendes taking on the role of Teela. However, at the heart of the fandom’s excitement is actress Alison Brie‘s casting as the powerful sorceress and iconic villainess of the Masters of the Universe franchise, Evil-Lyn.
Brie, best known for her work on GLOW and the Community TV series, is now set to step into the realm of sword and sorcery as not just Skeletor’s fearsome second-in-command, but as a potentially scene-stealing force in the film’s narrative. So, we’re here to talk about the character of Evil-Lyn, her origins, and how GLOW helped Alison Brie prepare for her role in the upcoming Masters of the Universe reboot from Amazon.
For those unfamiliar with Masters of the Universe and the world of Eternia, we’re discussing a sword-and-planet-themed media franchise created by Mattel to help them sell more toys. The main premise of the animated series revolved around the conflict between He-Man (who is the alter ego of Prince Adam) and Skeletor on the planet of Eternia. The franchise is set in a world which blends sword and sorcery with sci-fi technology, and also features a vast lineup of supporting characters —one of whom is Evil-Lyn.
Now, Evil-Lyn is no ordinary antagonist. First introduced in Mattel’s original toy line and the accompanying 1983 animated series, Evil-Lyn is a super-powerful witch whose allegiance to Skeletor is driven by ambition and a thirst for power as much as loyalty. On top of being vastly more intelligent than Skeletor’s other minions, Evil-Lyn is also armed with a wand crowned with a crystal orb and channels dark magic. Admittedly, she also casts spells without her wand, but the combination of power and intelligence makes her one of the most dangerous figures in Skeletor’s army.
But despite what her name might suggest, she’s not just evil. While she admits that she’s not as powerful as Skeletor, she also readily confesses her hopes of seizing Skeletor’s powers and ruling over Eternia herself one day. Unlike so many cartoon villainesses of the era, most of whom were added for inclusivity’s sake, Evil-Lyn has often been portrayed as intelligent and calculated, but also morally ambiguous. Sadly, the original toy line and the accompanying animated run and comic book series had denied her an origin story, or even a backstory for that matter.
The subsequent 200x continuity, from the early 2000s comics and animated series, changed that, and Evil-Lyn was established as the daughter of Faceless One, a powerful sorcerer and former Lord of Zalesia. As an infant, she was abducted by King Hiss, which actually brought about the fall of Zalesia. However, this version also gave Evil-Lyn a backstory and mythic weight, integrating her more deeply into Eternia’s history and conflicts. It’s entirely possible for the upcoming movie to explore her origins, especially if the creative team chooses to highlight her motives beyond simply being “evil.”
From what we know about the upcoming movie, Evil-Lyn will be a powerful and intelligent witch and the femme fatale who will use her power to help Skeletor reconstruct the Havoc Staff. So, it’s quite evident that Evil-Lyn’s role in the upcoming story will go beyond simply being a villain, and considering that her character has always existed in a morally gray zone within the franchise, she presents a fascinating challenge for many actors looking to portray morally complex characters. Playing the villain is more challenging and entertaining, but also immortalizing when done right.
The last live-action portrayal we’ve had was Meg Foster’s memorable performance in the 1987 film, where her icy stare and mystical prowess helped define Evil-Lyn for an entire generation. Now, decades later, actress Alison Brie steps into those formidable shoes, bringing with her a career shaped by versatility, nuance, and a healthy dose of theatrical flair. While her filmography spans both comedic and dramatic terrain, it’s her work on Netflix’s GLOW that best prepares her for the extravagant villainy of Evil-Lyn.
Brie portrayed Zoya “the Destroya” in GLOW, a Russian wrestling persona within the fictionalized world of 1980s women’s wrestling. The role demanded physicality, charisma, and the ability to play both a caricature and a fully rounded human being. Her character thrived in a space where theatrics were a tool of empowerment, and Brie masterfully stepped into Ruth Wilder’s (her character’s real name) layered persona, including the character’s portrayal of Zoya the Destroya. In other words, Brie embodied a character who was learning how to perform exaggerated villainy.
In doing so, the lines between character and identity, both within the show and in the actress’s performance, blurred, which is exactly what makes her such an inspired choice for Evil-Lyn, a character who must command attention in a world of sword, magic, and tech. Evil-Lyn is so much more than a common villain; she’s a showstopper and a tactician (as seen in 2021’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation), and Brie’s ability to tap into that energy while remaining grounded in psychological complexity is probably why the filmmakers chose her in the first place.
Given her complexity, it’s quite certain that Evil-Lyn’s role in the upcoming story won’t be limited to simple villainy, and with an actor like Alison Brie portraying the character, the filmmakers have the opportunity to explore motivations, backstories, and quite possibly moments of reluctant alliance or betrayal. Whatever the case might be, Brie’s Evil-Lyn is poised to redefine the character for the new era, and with a little bit of GLOW sparkle, she might just steal the show.
