The world of Eternia is finally coming alive on the big screen, and for director Travis Knight, the moment Nicholas Galitzine first stepped into the iconic role of He-Man was nothing short of surreal.

EXCLUSIVE: Travis Knight gets emotional watching Nicholas Galitzine become He-Man for the first time; "It was like real-life action figures"

EXCLUSIVE: Travis Knight gets emotional watching Nicholas Galitzine become He-Man for the first time; “It was like real-life action figures”

Recalling an early camera test before principal photography officially began on He-Man and The Masters of the Universe, Knight revealed that seeing the cast fully transformed into their legendary characters was an emotional experience deeply tied to his childhood memories of the franchise.

“All the actors come out in their costumes, and it was like real-life action figures,” Knight shared while speaking about the ambitious fantasy adaptation. “Nick Galitzine transformed into He-Man for the first time, and he said the iconic line with the sword held aloft. I felt emotional about it because of how much these characters and this world has meant to me over the course of my life.”

The statement is likely to excite longtime fans of the beloved franchise, which first exploded into pop culture in the 1980s through toys, animated series, comics, and games. Knight’s emotional reaction also hints at the scale and authenticity Amazon MGM Studios is aiming for with the film, positioning it as both a nostalgic tribute and a fresh cinematic reinvention for a new generation.

Leading the film is Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam aka He-Man, with Camila Mendes starring as Teela and Jared Leto taking on the role of the menacing Skeletor. The ensemble cast further includes Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, alongside Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin, and Kristen Wiig, who lends her voice to Roboto.

Backed by Amazon MGM Studios and helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Travis Knight, the film is expected to blend large-scale fantasy action with emotionally grounded storytelling. Knight, best known for Bumblebee and Kubo and the Two Strings, has often spoken about his passion for character-driven spectacle something fans are hoping translates into a definitive live-action adaptation of the iconic property.

The buzz surrounding He-Man and The Masters of the Universe has steadily intensified ever since the first casting announcements, with Galitzine’s physical transformation and commitment to the role drawing particular attention online. The actor’s first appearance in costume has already become one of the most anticipated reveals among fantasy and comic-book movie fans globally.

Sony Pictures Releasing International will release He-Man and The Masters of the Universe theatrically on June 5, 2026 in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Also Read: He-Man and The Masters Of The Universe: Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes pay sweet tribute to OG He-Man, break the internet