Nearly 40 years after wielding the Sword of Power in the cult fantasy adventure Masters of the Universe, Dolph Lundgren is officially returning to the franchise.
Speaking exclusively to MovieZine, the Swedish action icon confirmed that he will appear in this summer’s new adaptation of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man.
“Of course I said yes,” Lundgren tells us. “I’ve lived with this film for almost 40 years now. It’s great that they’re making a new version, especially after I read the script and realized it was a big production, that they were serious and really trying to do a good job. So I thought it was a very fun thing for me to be part of.”
The new film premieres June 5 and marks the franchise’s first live-action return to theaters since the 1987 cult classic “He-Man – Masters of the Universe”, where Lundgren first played Prince Adam’s heroic alter ego.
According to Lundgren, the filmmakers approached him fairly late in production with an idea for a cameo — but he had another suggestion.
“I didn’t think their original idea was that good,” he says with a laugh. “So I suggested that I should play some kind of older warrior who gives this younger warrior words of wisdom on his journey. They liked it immediately. Then they came up with the idea that it would happen in a gym.”
Lundgren also had plenty of praise for Galitzine, who has undergone a major physical transformation for the role.
“Yes, he’s very talented,” Lundgren says. “Nicholas has that sensitive side and comedic talent. He’s really built himself up physically too. He went the opposite way from me. When I came in, I already had the physical body and sports background. Then I had to find the more boyish side of my personality.”
While the 1987 film received mixed reactions upon release, Lundgren believes time has been kind to it — and says its fanbase has only grown stronger in recent years.
“I think it holds up pretty well,” he says. “What’s interesting about that movie is that it took time for it to find a life and an audience. Early in my career, people talked more about ‘Rocky IV’ and ‘The Punisher’. But in recent years it’s become more loved again and fans want autographs. It has a character and quality that’s very unique, I think.”
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