Nicholas Galitzine is stepping into the iconic role of He-Man, taking over from Dolph Lundgren, who famously portrayed the superhero in the 1987 live-action Masters of the Universe film. For the British actor, landing the part meant undergoing a dramatic physical transformation. One that proved to be the most demanding challenge of his career so far.
To convincingly embody the powerful comic book hero, Galitzine began bulking up well before filming started. His preparation overlapped with his work on the fantasy romance 100 Nights of Hero, requiring him to balance intense physical training with an active shooting schedule. The process pushed him to new limits, both physically and mentally.
In an interview with People, Galitzine described the transformation as “the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” highlighting the level of commitment needed to bring He-Man to life on screen. His training reportedly began as early as May 2024, when news first broke of his casting in Amazon MGM’s upcoming remake.
Production on Masters of the Universe ran from February through June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the film’s development. The highly anticipated reboot also features a star-studded cast, including Jared Leto, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, and Idris Elba.
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With its theatrical release set for June 5, the film promises a modern reimagining of the beloved franchise, anchored by Galitzine’s striking physical transformation and dedication to the role.
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