Let’s be real, stepping into a role in a franchise as iconic as Masters of the Universe comes with a mountain of pressure. Everyone has their own idea of what He-Man should be, so taking on that responsibility is no small feat. I recently learned that Nicholas Galitzine, who plays He-Man in the new movie, actually described it as the most challenging role of his career. And honestly? I can totally see why. It’s a lot to live up to!
In a recent interview with Empire, actor Nicholas Galitzine discussed the challenges of playing He-Man, particularly building the character’s famously muscular physique. He admitted the task was incredibly daunting, noting that even the animated version of He-Man had proportions that would rival Arnold Schwarzenegger. Galitzine had only four to five months to get into shape for the role, which he described as the most physically demanding thing he’s ever done.
Masters of the Universe Director Reveals Why Nicholas Galitzine Was Perfect For The Role
The first trailer for Masters of the Universe revealed Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam and his heroic alter ego, He-Man. Fans were pleased with his performance as both the playful, somewhat awkward Adam and the powerful warrior. While new to Earth, Adam isn’t completely lost thanks to his memories and experiences on Eternia.
Director Travis Knight chose actor Nicholas Galitzine because the story required someone who could convincingly portray two distinct sides to the character. He needed to authentically embody both forms, and Galitzine proved capable of doing so.
I wasn’t focused on physical appearance,” Knight explained. “I was searching for someone with the right inner qualities. I needed an actor who could be humorous, endearing, and emotionally vulnerable, but also believable as a powerful action hero. That’s because Adam and He-Man represent two sides of the same coin: Adam embodies compassion, while He-Man embodies strength.
The trailer highlights a contrast in Adam’s character. On Earth, he appears as an ordinary man working a job and searching for a sword to return home. He’s immediately relatable, but we quickly see his dedication to the quest through the extensive research filling his house – showing years of perseverance and resourcefulness. This is sharply contrasted with a scene in a comic shop, where his awkward attempt to take the sword from a statue reveals how uncomfortable he is and how far he’s willing to go.
As a movie buff, I was really struck by how they showed Prince Adam’s journey in the trailer. One minute he’s a total kid in the cockpit of the Talon Fighter with Teela, just beaming with excitement – it’s so sweet! But then, the second the ship lands on Eternia, he’s this incredibly confident hero standing with the others. You can tell he belongs. It’s like he’s reliving a forgotten memory, a moment he’s been waiting for ages to get back to, and the actor, Galitzine, manages to convey all of that – the joy, the nostalgia, the sense of accomplishment – just in the trailer footage. It’s really impressive how he balances all those emotions.
The actor perfectly captures the powerful warrior this series is known for, and feels completely natural in the role. The transformation is everything fans wanted, and his appearance is remarkably true to the original cartoon. It’s tough to bring a cartoon character’s physique to life, but throughout the trailer, I never doubted he was He-Man – a real credit to the casting choices and the decision to cast Galitzine.
Preparing for the role was difficult, but Galitzine said putting on the armor made all the effort worthwhile and significantly boosted his confidence. He explained that wearing the costume was surprisingly empowering, similar to how he feels during intimate scenes. He noted that he often finds himself more at ease in those situations than the people around him.
Masters of the Universe hits theaters on June 5th.
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2026-02-07 03:10