Original ‘He-Man’ Star Confirms Comeback in New ‘Masters of the Universe’ Movie

Dolph Lundgren is officially returning to the Masters of the Universe franchise, decades after he first played He-Man in the 1987 live-action film. His comeback connects the original movie with the new 2026 reboot, creating a rare link between two generations of the same story.

The new film, starring Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam / He-Man, brings the franchise back to the big screen under director Travis Knight. Lundgren’s involvement was first hinted at earlier in 2025 when he was asked if he would return. At the time, he stayed vague and said, “It’s a bit of a secret, but I can’t say much. But yeah, maybe I’ll get involved somehow. We’ll see.”

That mystery was cleared up during the film’s red carpet premiere, where Lundgren confirmed his role. According to comments shared in a now-deleted video reported by Variety, he said, “I’m in it. I have a small role. At some point in the movie, when he needs some crucial advice, I show up, and I give it to him when he needs it the most. It was surreal working on it because… it was like talking to a younger version of myself.”

His appearance is designed as a brief but meaningful moment in the story, where he steps in as a mentor figure for Galitzine’s He-Man. The idea of the original He-Man guiding the new version adds a passing-of-the-torch element that longtime fans are likely to recognize and appreciate.

The Masters of the Universe project itself has been in development for many years, going through several versions before finally being picked up by Amazon MGM Studios. The final film features a large cast, including Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress, and Jared Leto as Skeletor.

The story follows Prince Adam as he returns to Eternia to face Skeletor and save his home planet, continuing the classic battle between good and evil that has defined the franchise since its origins as a Mattel toy line in the 1980s.

Lundgren’s return also adds extra nostalgia, since he was the first actor to ever bring He-Man to life in a live-action film. While that 1987 movie struggled at the box office, it has since become a cult favorite among fans.

Now, nearly four decades later, his brief return in the new film ties the franchise’s past and present together in a single moment that highlights how far the series has come. Masters of the Universe is set to be released in theaters on June 5.

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