How Camila Mendes and Nicholas Galitzine Got Seriously Jacked for ‘Masters of the Universe’
Camila Mendes and Nicholas Galitzine did not arrive on the set of ‘Masters of the Universe’ looking like they do by accident
.Behind-the-scenes training footage shared on social media offers a fresh look at the physical work the two leads put in ahead of filming the Amazon MGM blockbuster, and it is clear both took the challenge of inhabiting Eternia’s most iconic warriors with complete seriousness.
Galitzine worked with celebrity personal trainer David Kingsbury for six months to bulk up and build muscle for his role as He-Man, a transformation that producer Jason Blumenthal described as “100-percent real,” with no tricks or shortcuts involved. Blumenthal made clear that Galitzine “fully committed” and that everything audiences see on screen was the result of old-school hard work.
Galitzine opened up about just how demanding that process became, telling Entertainment Weekly that there were periods when he was fasting for 18 hours and then completing a three-hour weight-training session before stunt work. “Truthfully, I feel like I learned a lot about myself and how far I was willing to push myself and really suffering for it,” he said, adding that the experience was “not for the faint of heart” but one he was ultimately proud of.
Mendes, who plays Teela, Eternia’s Captain of the Guards and He-Man’s primary ally and love interest, also spent months bulking up and training to achieve the physicality the role required. Speaking to Refinery29, she acknowledged there had been a layer of apprehension involved in taking on such an outwardly strong character, noting that women can sometimes feel hesitant about putting on visible muscle mass, but said she ultimately embraced it and came to love feeling strong.
Directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, and David Callaham, the film follows Prince Adam, who was raised on Earth after being sent away as a child to protect him, and his return to Eternia to confront the skull-faced villain Skeletor and claim his destiny. The ensemble cast also includes Jared Leto as Skeletor, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Kristen Wiig, Morena Baccarin, James Purefoy, and Charlotte Riley.
The film was produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films, with Sony Pictures handling international distribution, and opened in theaters on June 5. Early critical reception has been warmer than many anticipated, with the film earning an 87 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and reviews at several outlets calling it a genuine surprise.
Whether the film becomes a franchise or not, the dedication that Mendes and Galitzine brought to their physical preparation tells its own story, one about two actors who understood exactly what kind of movie they were making and decided to meet it all the way.
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