Dolph Lundgren, who played He-Man in the 1987 film 'Masters of the Universe', has opened up about his reluctance to take the role and the challenges he faced on set.
A Reluctant Hero
Lundgren admitted he was not keen on playing a toy character. 'I didn't want to play a toy,' he said. Despite his success as Ivan Drago in 'Rocky IV', he was nervous about becoming an American hero and feared audience rejection.
Challenging Role and Cold Sets
The actor found it difficult to prepare for the role, as there was no live-action precedent. He struggled with his Swedish accent and did extensive ADR due to loud generators on set. The studio wanted him to wear less to show his muscles, but filming outdoors in winter meant he had to apply Vaseline to retain body heat.
On-Set Incidents
Lundgren performed most of his own stunts, leading to mishaps such as his hair extensions catching fire during a shootout scene. He admired Frank Langella's dedication as Skeletor, who rewrote many of his lines and influenced his makeup design.
Robert Duncan McNeill's Perspective
McNeill, who played Kevin, recalled the film's ambitious ET-like concept but noted budget constraints and the director's inexperience. He described Billy Barty as hilarious but often drunk on set.
Langella's Late Arrival
Frank Langella joined the cast late and had a stop-date in his contract. He insisted on approving his lines, leading to significant rewrites of Skeletor's speeches. His makeup was refined to allow more facial expression.
Legacy of the Film
Despite disappointing box office results, the film has gained a cult following. Lundgren reflected, 'Maybe because of its imperfections and naive innocence, it has become a beloved, beautiful little mess of a movie.'
'Masters of the Universe' (1987) is available on Prime Video.
