‘Masters of the Universe’ Didn’t Use AI, and Director Travis Knight Has a Lot to Say About That

The biggest live-action sword-and-sorcery adventure of the summer has arrived, and one of the loudest conversations surrounding it has nothing to do with He-Man’s biceps. As Hollywood continues to wrestle with the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, ‘Masters of the Universe’ finds itself right at the center of that debate, not because it used AI, but precisely because it didn’t.

‘Masters of the Universe‘ has plenty of visual effects, but none were made using AI tools. That’s a notable creative decision in an era when studios are increasingly experimenting with the technology, and director Travis Knight has been vocal about exactly why he made it.

Travis Knight’s Philosophy on AI in Film Production

Ahead of the film’s release, Knight stated that studios shouldn’t use AI to replace those who, in his words, give movies their “spirit and soul.” It’s a stance that feels both principled and timely, coming from a filmmaker whose entire career has been built on the craft of animation and hands-on production.

Knight said directly, “Artificial intelligence can be a tool, or it could be a crutch, and it’s not something that we used on this movie. I try to do stuff as much as I can practically. It’s my background in this industry, so I want to get as much stuff in camera as possible.”

He went on to describe using computer-generated imagery, simulations, and high-tech methods alongside practical filmmaking, calling that blend of old-school and modern techniques a core part of his approach.

Knight also said, “To me, it’s always about the amazing creatives who make movies. They’re what gives movies their spirit and soul. You get all of these people together from all these different disciplines, and it’s only that combination of people that could have told that story that way.” That sentiment gets to the heart of why Knight drew a clear line in the sand on AI use.

The VFX Debate and What the Trailers Sparked Online

Knight’s commitment to practical filmmaking is especially meaningful given the intense online scrutiny the film’s visual effects received long before it hit theaters. The reaction to ‘Masters of the Universe’ reflected wider audience fatigue with CGI-heavy storytelling. Audiences were not rejecting visual effects outright, but questioning intent, wanting to know whether the technology was serving the story or simply showing off what modern pipelines can do.

In a separate interview shared by Discussing Films, Knight emphasized that digital creators invest immense personal effort into their work, yet they frequently face unfair public backlash when constraints like limited budgets or compressed production timelines force creative compromises on screen. The director’s defense of his VFX team added a layer of depth to what might otherwise have been a routine promotional press run.

Knight expressed immense satisfaction with how the collective dedication of the crew elevated the entire film, saying, “Everyone completely pitched in, rowed in the same direction.” That team-first framing stands in sharp contrast to the increasingly common industry narrative of AI being used to cut costs by reducing creative headcount.

One review noted that Knight used practical over visual effects when possible, calling it a great choice, though the result still drew some criticism for costumes that felt more like cosplay than cinematic spectacle. It seems not everyone was convinced the balance landed perfectly, even if the intent was admirable.

The Cast and Scale Behind the No-AI Commitment

To understand the weight of Knight’s AI stance, it helps to understand the scale of the production he was protecting. The film carries a reported budget of between 170 and 200 million dollars, stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin, Idris Elba, Kristen Wiig, and Jared Leto, and runs at 141 minutes. That is a significant undertaking to deliver without leaning on AI shortcuts.

Galitzine leads the film as Prince Adam and He-Man, Mendes portrays the fierce warrior Teela, Leto steps into the role of the villainous Skeletor, and Elba plays Duncan, also known as Man-At-Arms. The ensemble brings real star power to a production that Knight clearly wanted to feel handcrafted at every level.

Knight acknowledged that AI could be beneficial to the wider industry if those in charge of the world’s biggest entertainment companies are thoughtful and careful about its application. That nuance matters. He isn’t dismissing the technology entirely, he’s arguing for intentionality, something that feels especially urgent when a film of this budget and ambition is the subject of discussion.

Where the Broader Industry Stands Right Now

‘Masters of the Universe’ is arriving at a genuinely complicated moment for Hollywood and AI. Knight’s comments come amid a watershed moment for the implementation of AI in the entertainment sector and wider society, as the nascent technology becomes an increasingly prevalent fixture in everyday life and governments struggle to fast-track legislation to keep it in check.

The use of AI in best picture contender ‘The Brutalist’ grabbed headlines and ignited controversy, and it wasn’t the only Oscar contender to use the advancing technology, with high-profile films such as ‘A Complete Unknown,’ ‘Dune: Part 2,’ and ‘Emilia Pérez’ also using AI in large or small ways. Against that backdrop, Knight’s choice to go entirely AI-free on ‘Masters of the Universe’ registers as a deliberate and very public statement.

The broader creative community has been watching these conversations closely, and the challenge of detecting AI-generated content has grown so significant that even dedicated fan communities covering ‘Masters of the Universe’ have flagged moments where fabricated video clips were nearly indistinguishable from real production material, noting it is no longer a matter of if fans will be fooled by AI, but when. Knight stepping forward to confirm no AI was used on the film gives both critics and audiences something firm to hold onto.

Critical Reception and What It Means for the Conversation

The film itself has landed with a broadly positive reception, even if not every critic was fully swept away. One reviewer gave it a near-perfect score, calling it a super vibrant, weird, and gleeful romp, praising the cast and crew for wholly understanding the kind of movie they were making and going all out to bring it to life.

Another critic offered a more measured take, describing it as a two-hour-plus comedy and effects showcase whose fantasy images are more notable for their quantity than quality. The divide in critical opinion mirrors the larger tension Knight has been navigating all along, between spectacle and soul.

Knight has also hinted at what a sequel could explore, saying, “I think about what happens next for Adam. Where does the next stage of his life take him? Now that he’s properly He-Man, what does that mean? And at the essence of it is relationships.” Whether that next chapter gets made may well depend on how audiences respond to a filmmaker who bet big on human creativity over algorithmic efficiency.

If you just watched ‘Masters of the Universe’ and caught yourself wondering whether any of those Eternia landscapes or Skeletor transformations looked a little too smooth or a little too rough, share your thoughts below on whether Travis Knight’s commitment to keeping AI out of the production actually shows on screen.