Mackenzi Lee is the author of the new young adult novel Teela: Daughter of Eternos. It takes place in the world of the new Masters of the Universe film. Lee's other books include Loki: Where Mischief Lies.
Q: How did you come to write Teela: Daughter of Eternos?
A: I got a very well-timed email from Mattel asking if I'd be interested in writing a novel to go with their new film, Masters of the Universe! To which I replied, what is Masters of the Universe? It wasn't a franchise I knew much about.
But lucky they were willing to teach me! They told me where they'd like the novel to fit in the movie timeline, and what character they'd like me to focus on, and from there, I devised a plot set in the world of Eternia, and focusing on teenage Teela finding her place in it.
Q: What is the relationship between the novel and the new Masters of the Universe film, and do you think a reader needs to see the film before turning to the book?
A: The movie has a time jump about 15 minutes in - we see the main character, Adam, go from a kid to an adult, and go on a journey from Eternia, his home planet, to Earth.
The book is set in that time while Adam is trying to find his way back home, and focuses on the characters that were left behind to deal with the aftermath of their city falling to Skeletor.
I don't think you need to see the movie first, but some familiarity with the world would be helpful. If nothing else, for picking up on references to characters, gadgets, and creatures from the wider MOTU world. If you haven't seen the film, I think there's enough context in the book that you'll get the idea.
Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?
A: Most of the research I did was within the world of Masters of the Universe. I was delighted and surprised to find out how silly, campy, and self-aware the whole franchise is--and how much fun!
I always thought He-Man was such a grandiose name that surely any franchise he was part of would be very self-serious. Turns out, not at all. It's got a big heart and a lot of jokes, and a lot of camp--the tone of the show is actual very in line with my original fiction. Fun, funny, doesn't take itself too seriously, but deals with big emotions with a lot of sincerity.
Q: How much leeway did you have with your characters and plot?
A: A lot! The folks at Mattel brought me the time they wanted the book set, and the main character they wanted it to follow, and that was it.
Some facets of what I was able to include were dictated by things in the movie, like who is left on Eternia and who is rallying together to fight Skeletor in the movie canon, but mostly, I got to bring a lot of my own ideas and voice to the project.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I have a new YA book coming out sometime in the future! It's not been announced yet, but I'm deep into it with my editor and can't wait to share more.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Go see Masters of the Universe in theaters! It's so much fun! No one is paying me to say this, I'm just a fan! :)
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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