In the world of pop culture, memes have become an integral part of our online experience, and their influence is now making its way back into the very franchises that inspired them. The Masters of the Universe franchise, with its iconic character He-Man, has recently found itself in the spotlight for a unique reason. The meme "He-Man Sings" has been reimagined and referenced in various ways, but it's the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that have taken the lead in this meme-inspired trend.
The "He-Man Sings" meme, created in 2005, combined the animated footage of He-Man from the 1980s series with an operatic rendition of 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up?" The video, titled "Fabulous Secret Powers," introduced a stereotypically queer He-Man with a lispy voice, singing the show's opening before breaking into song. This quirky and random humor resonated with internet users, and the video quickly gained popularity on sites like Something Awful and eBaum's World.
Fast forward to 2026, and the Masters of the Universe franchise is getting a live-action adaptation directed by Travis Knight. While He-Man, played by Nicholas Galitzine, won't be singing an operatic version of "What's Up," the song's presence on the soundtrack will undoubtedly evoke nostalgia for Millennials. However, it's the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that have already made use of this meme in a memorable way.
In the 2023 animated film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," the Turtles find themselves in a van chase scene, where they force their mutant captors to sing. The mutants, led by Mondo Gecko (Paul Rudd), choose the 4 Non Blondes version of "What's Up," and they sing the "Hey ya" chorus with enthusiasm. As the Turtles take control, the music transitions to the "Fabulous Secret Powers" remix, creating a fun and energetic moment in the film.
This use of the "What's Up?" remix in "Mutant Mayhem" showcases a trend of online life influencing mainstream entertainment. The Turtles' scene lasts for two and a half minutes, fully immersing the audience in the meme's humor. It's a testament to the power of internet culture and its ability to permeate various forms of media.
Memes have indeed become a universal language, especially for Millennials, who grew up with this online culture. The 2006 X-Men meme, where Juggernaut is re-dubbed to scream "I'm the Juggernaut, b***h!," is another example of memes creeping into mainstream entertainment. The character even yells this line in the 2006 X-Men: The Last Stand, adding a layer of humor to the superhero genre.
Furthermore, the 1960s Spider-Man animated series episode "Double Identity" featured a frame of two Spider-Men in identical costumes, which became a popular meme. This meme was cleverly referenced in the 2018 animated movie "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," where Spider-Man 2099 jumps into a parallel universe and encounters this meme-worthy scene.
One of the most iconic memes, Big Chungus, can be traced back to the 1941 Bob Clampett short "Wabbit Twouble," where Bugs Bunny distorts his body to resemble Elmer Fudd. This version of Bugs Bunny became associated with the phrase "Big Chungus," and it made its way into the 2021 movie "Space Jam: A New Legacy."
As the article concludes, the "What's Up?" needle-drop in "Masters of the Universe" is a passing reference, but it hints at the future of cinema. Memes are becoming an integral part of the entertainment industry, and their influence will likely continue to grow. The Masters of the Universe franchise, despite its initial hesitation, is embracing this trend, and it remains to be seen how other franchises will incorporate memes into their future adaptations.
