Nicholas Galitzine, known for his open and warm personality, underwent a striking physical transformation for his role as He-Man in the upcoming summer blockbuster Masters of the Universe. The film, which has already attracted over 36 million views on its trailer in just 11 days, required Galitzine to adopt a mega-muscled physique, markedly different from his recent character Manfred in the queer fantasia and graphic novel adaptation 100 Nights of Hero.
In 100 Nights of Hero, Galitzine plays Manfred, a sword-wielding but naive nobleman who takes on a challenge from his friend Jerome to seduce Jerome’s wife Cherry. This medieval tale, inspired by Middle Eastern folklore, sees Manfred oblivious to the strength and wit of Cherry and her maidservant Hero, who continuously outsmart his attempts.
Portraying Manfred: A Naive Character Rooted in His Environment
Galitzine described Manfred’s perspective on women as simplified and traditional, stating his character’s preferences included qualities like beauty, chastity, and interests in maps and falconry, albeit without true skill in those areas. Reflecting on Manfred, the actor said,
“The hilarious thing is, he’s not unlike a lot of men who live in this [fictional] world. This is how he’s raised. But he just has no concept, really, of what a woman is. [But] I tried to never view him just as a villain. Because I do think he’s a product of his environment.” – Nicholas Galitzine
This nuanced portrayal adds depth to a character who might otherwise be dismissed as merely a fool or antagonist.
Balancing Two Characters in One Film: The Challenge of Playing Adam and He-Man
Galitzine’s role in Masters of the Universe went beyond physical transformation; he had to embody both the heroic He-Man and his vulnerable alter-ego, Adam. He explained how this duality complicated his preparation, saying he initially wanted to continue increasing his size without limit.
“I want to keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Just tell me when I need to stop.” – Nicholas Galitzine
The film’s producers and director Travis Knight intervened, clarifying that Galitzine needed to portray both the ultra-hero and the fragile boy within the same movie, which required striking a delicate balance between strength and vulnerability.
This complexity promises that any future installments would be easier to build upon, given the groundwork laid in this initial film.
Enduring a Grueling 5000-Calorie Regimen During Bulking Phase
To achieve his He-Man physique, Galitzine followed an intense routine that included consuming 5000 calories daily and performing up to three hours of weightlifting, in addition to an hour and a half of stunt rehearsals. He described this period as physically demanding and strange, noting the rapid changes to his body made him unrecognizable.
“Oh, hi… and bye. I’m still here pumping bicep curls and smashing chicken and broccoli!” – Nicholas Galitzine
The transformation forced him to embrace a lifestyle marked by long gym sessions and high-calorie meals, highlighting the extreme dedication involved in such role preparation.
Returning to Normal After the Transformation and The Challenge of Reversing It
Once filming wrapped for Masters of the Universe, Galitzine faced the challenge of reverting to a more natural physique for his next project, the World War Two drama The Mosquito Bowl. As the director requested an appearance appropriate for the 1940s setting, Galitzine had to quickly stop weight training and reduce his protein intake.
“OK, I guess I’m gonna stop lifting weights and cut all my protein and just let it all go shit!” – Nicholas Galitzine
This drastic change was emotionally difficult for him, as he reflected on how quickly muscle gained takes much longer to rebuild after loss. He expressed admiration for actors like Christian Bale and Jake Gyllenhaal, whose transformations are more extreme, acknowledging his own journey was somewhat less intense.
“Now I’m like a seasoned 50-year-old porn star, with a cigarette in hand, who’s like: ‘Sweetie, I know what I’m doing…’” – Nicholas Galitzine
Working on Upcoming Projects and Collaborations with Key Creative Partners
Recently, Galitzine began filming Red, White & Royal Wedding, the sequel to the 2023 romcom Red, White & Royal Blue, reuniting with intimacy coordinator Robbie Taylor Hunt. Galitzine praised Hunt for his expertise in shaping authentic and compelling love scenes, highlighting the importance of maintaining audience connection even after a four-year narrative gap.
“He is my go-to guy whenever I need intimacy stuff.” – Nicholas Galitzine
Galitzine also addressed evolving perspectives within younger audiences on the depiction of sex in film, emphasizing its narrative value and vulnerability for both actors and viewers.
Reflections on Co-stars: Admiration for Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri
Having worked with Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri on the comedy Bottoms, Galitzine praised their originality and work ethic. He admired Sennott’s creative vision and cultural insight, criticizing the industry’s tendency to chase trends instead of supporting unique voices.
“Oh, what’s popular right now? Who’s the popular musician? Let me find someone who can do that. What movie did well? Let’s just do another version of that.” – Nicholas Galitzine
He hopes to collaborate with them again, recognizing that his initial performances with them came before he felt fully ready to match their comedic strengths.
Personal Interests and Daily Inspirations
Aside from his career, Galitzine is an ardent Arsenal football fan, sharing a group chat with Anne Hathaway and others, though recent defeats have dampened spirits. He remains optimistic about the team’s prospects under manager Mikel Arteta.
When asked about his phone’s screensaver, Galitzine revealed it features a photo of him and his partner, highlighting his commitment to his relationship. For reading, he recently enjoyed Yuval Noah Harari’s Homo Deus, a thought-provoking sequel exploring humanity’s future.
On music preferences, he favors the Arctic Monkeys over Harry Styles, recalling how their sound defined his teenage years and personal style.
“One foot in front of the other. It’s as generic as they come. But really, it’s the mantra that’s got me through my career” – Nicholas Galitzine
He credits this simple philosophy with helping him manage career challenges, underscoring the need for presence and focus over worries about the distant future.
100 Nights of Hero Now Available in Cinemas
Galitzine’s film 100 Nights of Hero is currently playing in theaters, showcasing his ability to embody complex characters across genres. His recent fitness transformation for Masters of the Universe underscores his dedication to authenticity and willingness to push his boundaries as an actor, promising more intense and layered performances in the future.
