The summer of 2026 is set to spotlight Masters of the Universe, as Amazon, MGM Studios, and Mattel Films prepare to release a live action film on June 5. The movie carries a reported budget near 200 million dollars and stands to become a major franchise for Amazon.
At the same time, the man widely credited with helping create He-Man has died in near poverty. Roger Sweet, a former Mattel designer, passed away at age 91 after battling dementia. His wife, Marlene Sweet, confirmed to TMZ that he died peacefully in a care facility on April 28.
Sweet played a key role in shaping the early concept of He-Man during Mattel’s push into the action figure market in the early 1980s. He presented executives with early models of a muscular hero designed to fit many settings, from fantasy to science fiction. That idea grew into a full universe that included characters like Skeletor, Teela, and Man-At-Arms, and later expanded through animation and licensed products.
The franchise quickly became a global force. Between 1982 and 1986, Masters of the Universe generated over 1 billion dollars in sales. The brand helped define a generation of toys and entertainment, with its characters becoming household names for kids across the country.
Despite that success, Sweet’s final years were marked by serious health and financial struggles. According to a GoFundMe campaign started by his wife, his condition worsened in early 2026 after he suffered two brain bleeds following a fall. Doctors said he needed full time supervision, with care costs reaching more than 10,000 dollars per month. Public support helped the family exceed its initial fundraising goal, but Roger didn’t last much longer.
While the new film is expected to bring in major revenue, Sweet did not receive royalties or residuals tied to the franchise, ever. As a work for hire employee at Mattel during the 1980s, he had no ownership stake in the property he helped bring to life, and so the companies behind the new film are under no legal obligation to compensate him or his family.
The contrast is stark. A major studio release is poised to celebrate a powerful hero on screen and generate a ton of money, while the designer who helped create that hero spent his final days dependent on public support for care.
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