The Transformation of a Superhero
Nicholas Galitzine, known for his roles in romantic comedies and dramas such as Red, White and Royal Blue, The Idea of You, and Mary and George, has taken on a new challenge in the form of Masters of the Universe. This latest children’s fantasy classic is getting a big-screen remake, and Galitzine has revealed the extreme lengths he went to in order to achieve the physique of He-Man.
Learning from a Superhero Veteran
It was actually an Australian superhero veteran who provided guidance to the 31-year-old actor. “Hugh (Jackman) was actually instrumental in a lot of ways because I had just finished shooting The Sheep Detectives with him and I asked a lot of advice on how to prepare for the role, and he suggested a wonderful trainer for me,” Galitzine shared with Today.
Jackman first portrayed Marvel’s Wolverine in the 2000 film X-Men, and the character has remained a staple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe over nearly three decades.
A Challenging Physical Journey
Galitzine described the training process as a daily struggle. “I had five months, although in the grand scheme of things it really wasn’t a lot of time for such a transformation,” he said. “There were so many ups and downs in the whole process, it was like a little epic in itself. By the time we actually came to filming the movie, I had already been on this crazy physical and emotional journey.”
He added, “But the feeling you get when people finally see you as He-Man for the first time on set… it makes the struggle worth it.”
The Story of Masters of the Universe
In Masters of the Universe, Galitzine plays Prince Adam, who must recover a magic sword and return to his home planet, Eternia, to follow his destiny as the hero He-Man and save his people from the evil Skeletor.
Galitzine admitted that he has been a fan of the fantasy genre since childhood, and taking on such an iconic role was a dream come true. “I grew up with Lord of the Rings and Star Wars and the notion that someone could say ‘for your job, you get to play with swords every day and run around in a miniskirt’, I very much felt like a kid in a candy store,” he said.
A New Chapter in the Fantasy Genre
Masters of the Universe is set to hit cinemas this Thursday. Fans can catch Renee Bargh’s full interview with Nicholas Galitzine in the video above.
