Masters of the Universe Composer Creates Queen-Inspired Theme With Brian May’s Legendary Red Special Guitar

Masters of the Universe composer — Composer Daniel Pemberton brought his unique vision to the Masters of the Universe film score by incorporating Queen and ABBA-inspired music, utilizing Brian May’s iconic Red Special guitar. Director Travis Knight embraced this bold creative direction, resulting in an unexpectedly fun and vibrant soundtrack that defies typical franchise film conventions.

Masters of the Universe composer: The Details

Daniel Pemberton, known for being selective about franchise work, set a specific condition before joining the Masters of the Universe project: the opportunity to craft music with Queen and ABBA influences. This wasn’t a compromise forced upon the production but rather a shared artistic vision. Director Travis Knight immediately recognized the potential of this approach, understanding that the 1980s action-adventure property could benefit from a more colorful, energetic sonic palette.

The collaboration between Pemberton and the production elevated the score beyond typical superhero fare. By incorporating Brian May’s legendary Red Special guitar—one of rock music’s most distinctive instruments—Pemberton created a soundtrack that seamlessly blended classic rock sensibilities with modern film scoring techniques. The Masters of the Universe theme became an anthem that honors the franchise’s nostalgic roots while presenting fresh creative energy.

This unconventional approach to a major studio film demonstrates how composers can negotiate creative control in franchise projects. Rather than defaulting to the standard orchestral action-movie template, Pemberton’s Masters of the Universe score proves that distinctive artistry can coexist with commercial appeal. The result is a soundtrack that feels both celebratory and genuinely entertaining.

What This Means for Cinema

The Masters of the Universe composer’s approach signals a potential shift in how studios view film scores for action franchises. Studios increasingly recognize that distinctive creative voices can enhance rather than compromise marketability. Pemberton’s success with the Queen-inspired theme suggests audiences crave authenticity and personality in franchise soundtracks rather than formulaic compositions.

This development could influence future Masters of the Universe projects and similar franchise films, encouraging filmmakers to seek composers willing to take creative risks. The collaboration demonstrates that passion projects can emerge even within high-budget studio productions when directors and composers align creatively. It challenges the notion that franchise films must sacrifice artistic integrity for commercial success.

Directors like Travis Knight prove that welcoming unconventional musical influences strengthens storytelling. As audiences become more sophisticated consumers of film music, the industry may increasingly prioritize distinctive scores that reflect genuine creative partnerships between filmmakers and composers.

What We Know So Far

• Daniel Pemberton stipulated he would only score Masters of the Universe if he could create Queen and ABBA-inspired music
• Director Travis Knight enthusiastically embraced Pemberton’s creative vision for the film’s soundtrack
• Brian May’s Red Special guitar featured prominently in recording the Masters of the Universe theme composition
• The resulting score deliberately avoids typical franchise film conventions, prioritizing fun and energy
• Pemberton is typically selective about which franchise and sequel projects he accepts

What’s Still Unknown

• The specific songs or musical moments where the Queen and ABBA influences are most prominent in the final film
• Whether Brian May made a direct appearance or cameo contribution beyond his guitar being used for the Masters of the Universe soundtrack
• Plans for whether future Masters of the Universe sequels will maintain this musical direction
• The complete details of how Pemberton and Knight conceptualized the Queen-inspired approach during pre-production

For more information about the Masters of the Universe film and its production, visit IMDb’s Masters of the Universe database or check Variety’s entertainment news coverage.