Dolph Lundgren, the towering Swedish actor who once flexed his muscles as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, reveals the true extent of his physical and mental anguish on set while bringing He-Man to life in 1987's Masters of the Universe. This was no ordinary acting role – Lundgren admits he was initially hesitant to don the iconic purple tunic, fearing ridicule for starring as a toy-inspired hero.
The Cannon Films production was a gruelling marathon. Shooting in freezing temperatures meant Lundgren had to resort to slathering himself with Vaseline to stay warm, only for the studios to insist on stripping back his costume to showcase his impressive physique. It's no wonder he's still got the battle scars – literally! During an intense shootout scene at a sporting goods store, Lundgren's hair extensions went up in flames, sending shockwaves through the set.
But it wasn't just the physical toll that took its toll on Lundgren. As he delved into the psyche of He-Man, a character with no real-world counterpart, he felt isolated and adrift. Getting to grips with the Swedish accent also proved a challenge, requiring hours of Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR) work to iron out the wrinkles.
Despite these setbacks, Lundgren has nothing but praise for his co-star Frank Langella, who brought Skeletor to life with meticulous attention to detail. Langella's commitment was unwavering – he even fought for changes to his prosthetics to ensure his character's sinister grin could shine through. For Lundgren, it's an honour to have been the first actor to bring He-Man to the big screen, a role that still resonates deeply with him today.
So, if you're feeling nostalgic or simply want to experience this cult classic for yourself, grab your Amazon Prime subscription and stream Masters of the Universe. While it may not have won over critics back in the day, its loyal fan base has endured – and Lundgren's unforgettable performance remains a major draw.