Following the commercial success of the original Star Wars trilogy and its related merchandise, Mattel launched several successful competing toylines which captured the public's imagination and significantly influenced the toy market.
In 1976, Mattel's CEO Ray Wagner declined a deal to produce a toyline of action figures based on the characters from Star Wars, due to the $750,000 license ($3,645,724.96 in 2021 dollars) required up front. 2.4.1 Masters of the Universe Classics (2008).2.3.2 Masters of the Universe (1987 film).2.3.1 He-Man and She-Ra:The Secret of the Sword (1985 animated film).2.2.6 Masters of the Universe (CGI reboot, 2021).2.2.5 Masters of the Universe: Revelation (2021).2.2.4 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002).2.2.3 The New Adventures of He-Man (1990).2.2.2 He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special (1985).2.2.1 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983).2.1.1 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2012).According to various insiders and employees, Mattel is aware of He-Man's gay icon status and following, and his perception as a gay man something to which the company is receptive. The queer reading of He-Man's character and his relationship with Skeletor has also been utilized in advertisements and for charity. Moreover, the character has been noted for his sex appeal towards gay men. Furthermore, since his creation He-Man has achieved gay icon status and amassed an LGBT following-specifically amongst gay men. Many critics have taken note of his queer-coded nature and perceived homosexuality, especially in his relationships with other male characters, particularly Skeletor. He-Man has been singled out for the homoeroticism and gay subtext surrounding his character. Presenting three different versions of the figure to Mattel-including a soldier and a spaceman-the barbarian version of the character was chosen and developed into the character's current form. The character was created by designer Roger Sweet, who intentionally created the character in such a way for him to be abstract and generic enough to be applied into any context and genre Sweet also chose the name "He-Man" for being generic. He-Man and his friends attempt to defend the realm of Eternia and the secrets of Castle Grayskull from the evil forces of Skeletor. He-Man is characterized by his superhuman strength and in most variations, is the alter ego of Prince Adam. He-Man is a superhero and the main character of the sword and sorcery Masters of the Universe franchise, which includes a toy line, several animated television series, comic books and a feature film. Love interest/girlfriend: Mara (in The New Adventures of He-Man) Wife: Teela (in the expanded MOTU/POP universe/later becoming queen after becoming the new Sorceress)