Nicolas Galitzine Discusses Physical Preparation and Stunt Work for 'Masters of the Universe'

Nicolas Galitzine is reflecting on his experience bringing He-Man to life in the newly released Masters of the Universe film.

The 31-year-old actor sat down with Men's Health to discuss the production, touching on everything from choreography to his work with the film's stunt team and action sequences.

Building the Character's Movement

Galitzine spoke about his creative process for establishing He-Man's distinctive physicality. When working with stunt performer Johnny James on complex action beats, the actor emphasized the need for a specific approach to movement. "I think we need to adapt this character to move with the physicality that I have," he explained. "Everything should feel brutal and violent and savage. And so we put together this sequence where there are still comedic beats within it, but it's just this constant flow of motion."

The collaboration between actor and stunt double proved essential to translating Galitzine's vision to the screen. James handled the most demanding physical work, with Galitzine noting his gratitude for taking on "the unglamorous stuff."

The Snake Mountain Sequence

One of the film's standout moments features Adam in a confrontation with overwhelming odds. Galitzine described the scene as a turning point for his character, one where "a sense of rage and anger" overtakes Adam's usual demeanor. "There's a sense of hubris in this scene, and he really uses a vengeful spirit to dispatch these people," he said.

This particular sequence proved to be deeply rewarding for the actor. "It's the most fun I've had. It was truly one of the great joys I've ever had putting a scene on film, because I just felt a huge amount of agency in how I was able to build his physicality."

Working with Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

Filming opposite the formidable Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who portrays Goat Man, presented its own challenges. The Iceland-born actor's physical presence and strength created genuine on-set dynamics. Galitzine recalled the intensity of their scenes together: "He was so tired as he was swinging this ax at me, I think sometimes he was skipping a beat or adding a move in there. I was genuinely trying not to get decapitated by the strongest man in the world."

Director's Vision for Scale

Director Travis Knight offered insight into his casting strategy, deliberately assembling a roster of imposing performers to establish a consistent sense of scale throughout the film. "I don't think people have an appreciation for how big [Galitzine] got," Knight explained. "Part of it is because I stacked the cast with giant dudes. It was nothing but giant dudes—big, muscle-bound guys who were like 6'5″. Everyone in the movie, all the dudes are huge. And so it's a little bit like looking at a guy on an NBA team; You can't tell that any of them are big, because they're all big."

This intentional approach to ensemble casting ensured that Galitzine's transformation remained visually impressive within the context of the film's world.

Masters of the Universe is now in theaters.