The upcoming live-action film “Masters of the Universe” brought together stars Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Mendes. They were excited to play iconic characters from the 1980s. But they did not know how big the franchise’s fan base truly was until they landed the roles. The actors recently shared that the global reach of He-Man, especially in countries like India, really surprised them.
The new movie is based on Mattel’s famous toy line. It follows Prince Adam as he returns to the planet Eternia to battle the evil Skeletor. While promoting the film, Galitzine admitted he had no idea how much the character meant to people around the world, particularly in India.
“I didn’t know it was massive in India. Both of us kind of realized the magnitude of the following when getting cast in the roles, and we have to remember this is a 40-year-old piece of IP,” Galitzine told the news agency PTI.
This discovery changed how they looked at the project. It turned a simple acting job into a responsibility to honor a beloved hero.
A Crash Course in Eternia’s History
Camila Mendes, who plays the warrior Teela, said she and Galitzine only had a basic idea of He-Man’s popularity. To get ready for their roles, they had to go back to school. Mattel helped them by sending a huge box filled with materials.
“Mattel sent us both a huge box of comic books, toys and so much information at our fingertips. Then we both went and watched every single iteration of the cartoons we could, and the ‘80s live-action film,” Mendes explained.
The actress, known for “Riverdale,” said it is rare to work on a project with so much existing love from fans. This deep dive helped them understand why parents are so excited to share He-Man with their kids today.
Galitzine noted that the cross-generational appeal is very strong. He has talked to many parents who grew up with the cartoon in the late 1980s.
“There are people for whom this is their entire childhood; this is so nostalgic for them. The most exciting thing has been talking to people who grew up with this, who are so excited to show their kids… I’ve met dads and moms who just can’t wait to share it with their kids, that’s exciting,” Galitzine said.
Intense Training and the Pressure of “The Power”
Playing the “most powerful man in the universe” required more than just learning the history. Galitzine went through an extremely hard physical change. He revealed he sometimes ate 5,000 calories a day to build size. He also spent three hours weightlifting daily along with intense stunt work.
“It was an everyday a week thing,” Galitzine said about the dramatic routine. He admitted the process was “very challenging” and forced him to live like a hermit. He had to skip normal activities like eating out to stay focused.
Mendes also started training in September 2024. She moved to London for a tough boot camp with a strict diet. She sacrificed seven months away from her friends and family. “The biggest sacrifice for me was having to be in London for seven months away from friends and family; that’s really hard. But then you make new friends while you’re there, and that becomes your new family, your work family,” Mendes shared.
One of the scariest parts for Galitzine was saying the famous line: “I have the power.” He felt a huge emotional weight to get it right.
“I certainly felt the weight of it. For Adam, especially in our iteration, he’s a person who has just been put down his whole life… I was obviously very nervous up until filming that and was very relieved that Travis liked my interpretation,” he said.
Also Read:
Travis Knight, the director, wanted to keep the fun spirit of the original show. He described watching the 1980s series as a “fever dream” because it mixed barbarians with robots and laser guns. He made sure the new movie kept that lighthearted, playful vibe while delivering big action.
The film also stars Jared Leto as Skeletor, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn.
Masters of the Universe is scheduled to hit theaters on June 5, 2026. The release will be in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other global markets by Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures International Releasing.
Also Read: Sydney Sweeney Visits Times Square for First Time During Late-Night Date with Scooter Braun
Looking for more news on your favorite superhero movies? Check out VvipTimes for the latest updates on Hollywood blockbusters and casting news
