Galitzine finds his He-Man moment in 'Masters of the Universe'

Actor says understanding fan legacy helped shape his performance

LOS ANGELES:

Nicholas Galitzine, who headlines the 2026 fantasy blockbuster 'Masters of the Universe', has admitted he did not grow up with the He-Man universe but gradually found his way into the iconic role through the script and fan legacy.

The English actor, born in 1994, told Reuters that he missed the original wave of He-Man popularity that swept through the 1980s via Mattel's action figures and the animated series that followed.

"Well, I was born in '94, so I just really missed out on the initial wave of He-Man," he said. However, Galitzine said his perspective shifted once he understood the cultural impact of the franchise and its significance to generations of fans.

After reading the script and engaging with the world-building, he said his interest in the role grew organically. "I think the love and desperation to play the character kind of grew," he said.

The He-Man franchise originated in the early 1980s as a Mattel action figure line and later expanded into animation, comics and global pop culture, becoming one of the most recognisable fantasy properties of its era.

The 2026 film is part of a broader push by Mattel Studios, formed in 2025 following the consolidation of Mattel's film and television divisions, aimed at expanding its intellectual properties for the big screen.

'Masters of the Universe' which is set to release in cinemas on Friday, is produced by Mattel Films President Robbie Brenner, who also serves as chief content officer of Mattel Studios, with 'Bumblebee' director Travis Knight at the helm.

The story follows Prince Adam, portrayed by Galitzine, as he returns to Eternia and embraces his destiny as He-Man, tasked with defending his world from the villain Skeletor, played by Jared Leto.

The ensemble cast also features Idris Elba as Duncan, a loyal general; Camila Mendes as Teela, Duncan's adoptive daughter; Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn; and Sam C Wilson as Kronis, a cybernetic weapons expert aligned with Skeletor.

Elba said he welcomes the opportunity to help introduce the franchise to a new generation, alongside younger co-stars who, like Galitzine, are experiencing the He-Man universe for the first time.

"I think good IP has that opportunity to reimagine good art," he said. "We're still doing Shakespeare, and we're still doing biblical stories," he added, noting that revisiting established narratives allows filmmakers to connect them with contemporary audiences.