'Masters of the Universe' offered a special surprise for longtime fans of the franchise, and the story behind how it came together is as compelling as the moment itself. Dolph Lundgren, who famously portrayed He-Man in the original 1987 live-action 'Masters of the Universe' film, appears in the new movie during a montage showing Prince Adam's life on Earth before he embraces his destiny. This cameo quickly became one of the most talked-about moments for fans of the franchise.
How the Dolph Lundgren Cameo Came Together
Director Travis Knight and star Nicholas Galitzine opened up about how the cameo came together and what it meant to those involved. Galitzine revealed that he had suggested bringing Lundgren into the film, only to discover that Knight had already been working on the same idea. 'I seem to remember sort of quite brightly going to Travis Knight and going, 'You know what would be a great idea, is if we had Dolph Lundgren in the movie,'' Galitzine told Entertainment Weekly.
Knight explained that securing Lundgren's involvement had been a long-term goal. 'I never knew that I'd be able to convince Dolph Lundgren to be in our movie. I certainly had hoped that we could get Dolph to be in the movie, and it was something that I'd been working for for a long time,' he said, adding that Lundgren also contributed ideas that helped shape the final scene.
What the Moment Meant to Nicholas Galitzine
For Galitzine, the cameo carried significant emotional weight. 'I hope Dolph feels this way, but there was a very real passing of the torch, which felt very special, certainly for me,' he told the outlet, describing the interaction between the franchise's two He-Men as a genuinely meaningful moment.
Based on the iconic Mattel toy line and animated series, 'Masters of the Universe' follows Prince Adam of Eternia as he transforms into the most powerful man in the universe to defend his world against the forces of evil. Directed by Travis Knight and starring Galitzine alongside a wide ensemble cast, the film represents the franchise's long-awaited return to the big screen, arriving nearly four decades after the original 1987 adaptation. 'Masters of the Universe' is currently playing in theatres.
