Jun 05, 2026 4:59pm IST
Dolph Lundgren on Passing the He-Man Sword to Nicholas Galitzine: ‘It Was Amazing’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Nearly four decades after first wielding the sword of power, actor Dolph Lundgren reflects on the lasting legacy of He-Man and the unique experience of revisiting the franchise in the new live-action adaptation of “Masters of the Universe.” In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, Lundgren describes the experience as emotional because it required him to interact with a younger version of the character he famously portrayed in the 1987 film.
Lundgren says, “It was a tremendous experience to be in ‘Masters of the Universe,’ to speak to a younger version of myself, played by Nicholas Galitzine. I was playing a mix of my old He-Man character and myself, while speaking to someone who was essentially taking over that role.”
The actor admits that the experience had him confronting a milestone few performers ever face on screen. “It’s the first time I’ve been in a film where somebody is taking over my part. I did ‘Creed II,’ where I played an older version of the same character, but staring at someone doing what I did 40 years ago was amazing. It was a great experience,” he shares.
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The veteran actor said he was initially unsure how the film would turn out, but was ultimately impressed by the finished product. “When I saw the movie, I thought they did a good job. I think it turned out really well.” He also recalled the moment he realized just how beloved He-Man was. Before filming the original “Masters of the Universe,” Lundgren appeared at New York’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where a He-Man float drew enthusiastic reactions from fans.
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“People were yelling, ‘I have the power!’” he remembered. “Then I went to Radio City Music Hall and there were all these little kids with swords shouting, ‘By the power of Grayskull!’ That’s when I realized I was taking on this daunting task of playing He-Man.”
At the time, Lundgren confessed he had never even watched the animated series. “I hadn’t seen the cartoons, but it turned out to be a character that has lived on for 40 years.” For Lundgren, the enduring popularity of He-Man remains one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. What began as a daunting challenge in the 1980s has evolved into a cultural legacy that continues to resonate with generations of fans.
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