By the power of the internet timeline, Nicholas Galitzine has officially entered his musclebound era, and fans are not handling it calmly. Amazon MGM has released the first trailer for Masters of the Universe, Travis Knight’s long-gestating live-action take on Mattel’s animated franchise, and much of the online reaction has centered on one thing: Galitzine’s transformation into He-Man.
The actor appears as the iconic hero wielding the Sword of Power, shirtless and sculpted, as he defends Eternia from Skeletor and his army. Within minutes of the trailer’s release, social feeds filled with paused screenshots, enthusiastic commentary, and thirst-forward reactions praising the physical overhaul. For many viewers, the nostalgia came second. The abs did not.
Galitzine, who previously earned attention for roles in Red, White & Royal Blue and Mary & George, now finds himself in a very different pop-culture conversation. The He-Man reveal pushed him squarely into blockbuster territory, and, judging by fan response, into a new tier of internet fixation.
Eternia Has a New Crush
The trailer positions He-Man as a mythic defender, but the online discourse quickly reframed him as a certified heartthrob. Fans across platforms zeroed in on the costume design, which stays faithful to the animated series while leaning into modern superhero proportions. The result is a look that feels retro without reading camp, a balance that appears to be working.
Reaction posts ranged from stunned admiration to gleeful disbelief, with many noting how different this role feels from Galitzine’s past romantic leads. The shift has fueled speculation about how the film will play with He-Man’s larger-than-life masculinity, especially under Knight’s direction.
A Stacked Cast Enters the Battle
While Galitzine may be commanding the spotlight, Masters of the Universe brings together an ensemble cast that blends franchise nostalgia with contemporary star power. Jared Leto takes on Skeletor, Eternia’s skull-faced villain, opposite Camila Mendes as Teela. Alison Brie appears as Evil-Lyn, with Morena Baccarin portraying The Sorceress.
The supporting lineup includes Idris Elba as Duncan, also known as Man-At-Arms, alongside James Purefoy and Charlotte Riley as King Randor and Queen Marlena. Additional cast members include Sam C. Wilson, Sasheer Zamata, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Hafthor Bjornsson, Kojo Attah, John Xue Zhang, and Christian Vunipola.
A Long Road to the Big Screen
The live-action Masters of the Universe has spent more than a decade cycling through studios, creative teams, and unrealized versions. The project finally found footing at Amazon MGM in 2023, with Knight officially announced as director and Chris Butler attached as screenwriter in early 2024.
Production began in London in January 2025, signaling that the once-elusive adaptation was finally moving forward. Knight, known for his work on Bumblebee and Kubo and the Two Strings, brings experience balancing spectacle with character, a combination fans hope will elevate the material beyond pure nostalgia.
Powering Into Theaters
Masters of the Universe is produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Mattel Films, and Escape Artists, with Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch producing. Amazon MGM will distribute the film globally.
The film is set to arrive in theaters worldwide on June 5. Whether audiences come for the fantasy epic, the childhood memories, or Nicholas Galitzine’s He-Man physique, one thing is clear: Eternia has never looked this hot.
