In 1987, Cannon Films released *Masters of the Universe*, a live-action adaptation of the popular Mattel toy line and animated series. The film starred Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, marking his first leading role after gaining recognition as the Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in *Rocky IV*. The production presented a unique set of challenges, both on and off camera, as cast and crew navigated shifting expectations and a constrained budget.

Lundgren was initially hesitant to take the part, concerned about playing a character derived from a toy franchise. He described feeling apprehensive about embodying the iconic American hero after portraying a Cold War antagonist. With little precedent for how to portray He-Man beyond the cartoon, Lundgren drew on his own youthful innocence to capture the character’s blend of compassion and strength. The actor also faced technical difficulties, including extensive Automated Dialogue Replacement work to address sound problems caused by noisy generators on set and concerns about his Swedish accent.

The physical demands of the role were considerable. Lundgren contributed ideas on his costume design, seeking armor that highlighted his physique without exposing too much, although the studio pushed for a more minimalist look to showcase his muscles. Filming mostly took place outdoors during winter, requiring measures such as applying Vaseline to retain body heat. Lundgren performed most of his own stunts, including a sequence in a sporting goods store shootout where his hair extensions accidentally caught fire.

Frank Langella portrayed the villain Skeletor, arriving on set late due to scheduling conflicts. Despite the tight timelines, Langella took an active role in shaping the character by rewriting much of his dialogue and collaborating on his increasingly minimal makeup design, which evolved from a full headpiece to reveal more of his face. Langella’s professionalism and focus served as an inspiration to Lundgren during production.

Other cast members recalled a mixed atmosphere on set. Robert Duncan McNeill, who played Kevin, noted that director Gary Goddard envisioned the film as an *E.T.*-style story in which the Masters of the Universe come to Earth and are aided by children. However, the production struggled with tight financial constraints and Goddard’s inexperience as a director. The crew fell behind schedule early on, leading to tensions and concerns about completing the film. According to McNeill, Lundgren maintained a serious, sometimes distant demeanor, frequently prioritizing gym sessions during breaks to uphold the physical presence required of He-Man.

A notable incident occurred during a scene involving Skeletor’s ship: a car explosion was far larger than anticipated, producing a shockwave that shattered windows across the street and triggered alarms in the neighborhood.

Upon release, *Masters of the Universe* did not meet commercial expectations and was often seen as a flawed adaptation, failing to capture the broad appeal hoped for by creators. Nonetheless, it has since gained a cult following, appreciated for its nostalgic charm and straightforward storytelling.

The original 1987 film is currently available on Prime Video, while a new *Masters of the Universe* adaptation premiered in theaters in 2026.