(Image credit: Mattel)
The original "Star Wars" was famously turned down by Universal, United Artists, and Disney before 20th Century Fox hit pay dirt with a tale from a galaxy far, far away. But they weren't the only companies to miss out on a cash bonanza of Death Star proportions.When George Lucas started pitching the merchandising rights for the movie, the management at Mattel (the toy giants then best known as the home of Barbie and Hot Wheels cars) decided to pass on the opportunity to make action figures. A small Cincinnati company called Kenner's subsequent gamble on Lucas paid off big time, leaving Mattel hunting for a fantastical behemoth of its own.Toys based on "Battlestar Galactica", "Flash Gordon" (the late '70s cartoon version), and "Clash of the Titans" (the 1981 fantasy movie) had all failed to set the world alight, so Mattel opted for a different approach. What if, instead of piggybacking an existing intellectual property, the manufacturer created one of its own?
(Image credit: Getty Images (Angela Papuga))In the less enlightened early '80s, anything involving action, space, or vehicles was generally labelled as a toy for boys. And, after extensive market research, Mattel execs deduced that this target audience liked the idea of oversized male heroes flaunting their power over other people. Something in the (quite literal) mold of Frank Frazetta's classic Conan the Barbarian artwork seemed to fit the bill.Various people at Mattel were involved in — and have since claimed credit for — He-Man's genesis. He was clearly a departure from Kenner's "Star Wars" range, the most successful action figures of the era. As well as being nearly two inches taller, He-Man had a blond bob (what the hell did he ask for at the barbers?) and a musclebound physique that would make even the most hardcore of bodybuilders feel inadequate. He was immortalized in a perpetual full-body muscle flex, and bore the grimace of a guy who really, really wants to pick a fight. He also loved to flash a bit of flesh — check out that bold combo of chest-plate and weird fluffy trunks.These basic characteristics were replicated throughout the "Masters of the Universe" range (almost branded as "Lords of Power", until then-Mattel president Glenn Hastings decided that sounded a little too religious). Bone-faced bad guy Skeletor also had the physique of a guy who could bench press a horse. Even He-Man's mild-mannered weakling alter-ego, Prince Adam, looked like he wanted to rip someone's head off.
