Nicholas Galitzine has the power… and the gains! The actor’s next film, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, drops this week, and it’s expected to be a nostalgic return to Eternia. He-Man is arguably one of the most iconic and memorable heroes in pop culture. While ’90s kids will remember him from the animated series (and an attempt at a live-action version back in 1987), the upcoming film is easily the best thing to happen to the franchise in a long time. Directed by Travis Knight and featuring Galitzine alongside Jared Leto and Camila Mendes, the film arrives in theatres this week.
In quotes shared exclusively with Lifestyle Asia, the lead actor and director opened up about what went into bringing the character to life.
Nicholas Galitzine got so ripped to play He-Man
We know Galitzine from his roles in Red, White and Royal Blue and The Idea of You, but he takes on a never-before-seen avatar in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Now, training for that legendary look was never going to be an easy task, but the actor went all in. His regimen included “a ton of weightlifting” for about four months before the cameras rolled. Opening up about his intense training to achieve that action figure-like physique, he shares, “You get into a pretty aggressive cut, doing cardio on top of that. Then you’re shooting 12-hour days and fight sequences. It was definitely a constant challenge. I achieved a series of personal bests, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be better.”
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And that wasn’t even it. The road to Eternia was paved with dedication and lots of stunt work. Offering further insights into getting He-Man’s physicality right, Knight shares, “He’s doing so many of his own stunts, learning the fight choreography, which is very, very complicated. It’s like a ballet, like a dance. It’s so technical, but you have to make it feel spontaneous and fluid. He’s astonishing in how well he can adapt that stuff. And he has a presence. He feels like the most powerful man in the universe. It’s been remarkable to see that transformation.”
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe plot
The film’s plot follows Adam, the former prince of Eternia, who was raised on Earth in exile. After 15 years of mundane corporate grind, he discovers the Sword of Power. It leads him home – a world shattered under the evil rule of Skeletor. He then goes on to embrace his destiny as the formidable He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is now available in cinemas across Malaysia.
Hero and featured image courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
