The Masters of the Universe score, composed by Daniel Pemberton, features Queen guitarist Brian May playing his hand-built Red Special. Two versions of a track called Eternia, both built around May’s guitar, were released to streaming services ahead of Monday’s world premiere of the film at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Pemberton described the score to AXS TV as “the most maximalist score ever.” May posted his own reaction to the early track release: “Ah! Here it is! I only just discovered this is out! We have the power!” He had telegraphed the collaboration back in February, confirming his Red Special is “all over” the film.
The Red Special is the guitar May has played since the 1960s. He built it with his father from oak and motorcycle valve springs, and it gives his solos their identifiable harmonic warmth. Putting it on a fantasy blockbuster scored by Pemberton, whose previous credits include Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Project Hail Mary, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, lines up two sensibilities that both lean theatrical.
This is not May’s first film work. Queen scored Flash Gordon in 1980, with May composing the iconic theme. May also contributed to the 1996 film Pinocchio and composed the full score for Alexandre Aja’s Furia in 1999. The wider pattern of recruiting rock guitarists into orchestral blockbuster scores is one Hans Zimmer popularized through the 2000s. Pemberton’s Spider-Verse work has shown a similar willingness to blend genres.
The score was one of the elements singled out in social reactions after Monday’s premiere. “Inject Daniel Pemberton’s score in my veins NOW,” wrote one attendee on X.
Masters of the Universe opens wide on June 5 2026. The two Eternia tracks are available on streaming services now.
Join the discussion