Dolph Lundgren, who played He-Man in the 1987 film Masters of the Universe, recalls his reluctance to take on the role: 'I didn't want to play a toy.' The actor, known for his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, felt the pressure of portraying an American hero after a Soviet villain. 'I was nervous and afraid people weren't going to like it,' he said.
A Challenging Role
Lundgren found it difficult to prepare for the character, as there was no real-life figure to study. He drew on his own innocence and vulnerability, which he found daunting to access on camera. He also worried about his Swedish accent, leading to extensive ADR sessions due to loud generators on set.
Costume and Stunts
The studio wanted Lundgren to wear less to show off his muscles, but he had some input on his armor. 'I basically had nothing on,' he said. Shooting outdoors in winter, he applied Vaseline to retain body heat. He performed most of his own stunts, which led to incidents like his hair extensions catching fire during a shootout.
Robert Duncan McNeill's Perspective
McNeill, who played Kevin, recalls the film's ambition to be like E.T., but budget constraints and an inexperienced director caused delays. He noted that Billy Barty (Gwildor) was often drunk on set, while Frank Langella (Skeletor) joined late and rewrote his lines. Langella also pushed for makeup that allowed his expressions to show through.
On-Set Incidents
An explosion during a firefight was much larger than expected, blowing out windows down the street. McNeill described Lundgren as serious and focused, with a truck carrying his gym to sets. The film's box office disappointment didn't stop it from becoming a beloved cult classic, appreciated for its imperfections and nostalgic value.
