King Grayskull is ready to welcome you to Eternia! | Source: Mattel

Calling all Masters of the Universe fans!

If you’ve ever felt seriously left out because your parents didn’t get you the Masters of the Universe (MOTU) Eternia Playset in the 1980s, now is the time to right that wrong!

When Mattel launched its original Eternia playset in the 1980s, it was considered a flop due to timing, expensive tooling, and a cooling off of the MOTU brand. In the decades since, it’s become a sought-after collectible and now collectors have a chance to own an upgraded version of the massive set.

On Oct. 12, He-Man’s 40th birthday, Mattel will open a crowdfunding campaign for the Masters of the Universe Origins Eternia Playset. The set stands 3 feet tall and measures 4 feet wide and features an Eternia Tower flanked by a Grayskull Tower on the left and a Viper Tower on the right.

Rear view of Eternia | Source: Mattel

Like the original playset, it features a working battle tram, elevators, trap doors, and more.

Mattel says that 5,000 backers are required to send Eternia into production. With a price tag of $550 (plus a $50 U.S. shipping surcharge due to size and weight), Mattel will pull in a minimum of $2,750,000 should the campaign meet its minimum goal. Still, given the size and complexity of the set, the profit margin is likely pretty thin.

Related: Masters of the Universe: Exploring the Secrets of Eternia

Last year, toy designer Mike McKittrick, lead engineer on the original Eternia Playset, explained the numbers game played by Mattel in the 1980s for a feature here at The Pop Insider.

“I recall the original estimated production quota in round numbers was 60,000 units and break-even, I believe, was around 40,000,” McKittrick said last year. “As we progressed with final engineering and started making tools, the quota dipped down to around 40,000. As we approached the start date for production, the quota dropped to 20,000 plus or minus. Ultimately we produced a little more than 4,000 units.”

Will YOU make space for Eternia? | Source: Mattel

While the crowdfunding campaign for Eternia is set to run through Nov. 9, an early bird offering is designed to grease the wheels with backers.

Should the project be fully funded by Oct. 19, backers will receive a limited edition King Grayskull figure.

Pending a successful campaign via Mattel Creations, Eternia will ship on or about March 29, 2024.

You’ve got a year and a half to clear some space at home for this, right?

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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