EXCLUSIVE: Sam C. Wilson, a star of Masters of the Universe, discusses the film’s lively visuals, stunt work, and practical effects.

      Masters of the Universe revived many iconic and cherished characters for theaters this summer. Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee), the film sees the exiled prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) return to his home planet of Eternia to rescue his people from the evil wizard Skeletor (Jared Leto).

      This remake is the first live-action installment of the franchise since 1987’s Masters of the Universe and underwent several years of development. After changing directors and production companies multiple times, Masters of the Universe finally premiered in cinemas in June 2026.

      In an interview with Digital Trends, actor Sam C. Wilson discussed his connection to the Masters of the Universe franchise, his portrayal of the villain Trap-Jaw, and the creation of the film’s impressive visuals and action sequences.

      The transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.

      Digital Trends: What was it like to star in the He-Man movie? Were you a big He-Man fan as a child?

      Wilson: I was a huge fan of sci-fi and fantasy. I enjoyed He-Man and comic books, but He-Man seemed to have just missed me since I was born in 1990. It aired on TV, but it felt more like a legacy cartoon… All those shows like heavy metal were more my style.

      When we finally got cable at around seven years old in the UK, we had only four channels. These channels mainly featured American programming. Our Saturday morning cartoons included shows like X-Men, Power Rangers, and eventually He-Man and Thundercats.

      Digital Trends: Great! You've held various acting roles before taking on the role of Trap-Jaw in Masters of the Universe. How does it feel to portray Trap-Jaw, and is it different from your previous roles?

      Amazon MGM Studios / Amazon MGM Studios

      Wilson: Definitely, it is different because creature acting requires you to consider your character's nature. Since he's a villain, you ponder, “How serious is this character? Is he even human? What sounds does he make?”

      I approached Trap-Jaw somewhat like Caesar from Planet of the Apes, looking at Andy Serkis' performances to get a sense of how Trap-Jaw would move. The heavy trousers I wore made it feel like I was trudging around, so no acting was needed in that regards.

      You also have to relearn how to express yourself with facial prosthetics. Choosing a voice and developing your character bit by bit can completely transform how you feel. If I asked you to walk around a room with a new voice and posture, you would quickly start feeling different.

      Initially, I wanted to play him more comedically, drawing inspiration from the character Rex Kwon Do in Napoleon Dynamite—a gym guy who takes himself too seriously and is a bit foolish. But as I put on the costume, I realized, “No, he’s actually quite intimidating.” I maintained an American vibe and collaborated closely with Travis because, as they say, “He who pays the piper calls the tune.” So, you adjust to the director's vision.

      Digital Trends: What was it like working with Travis Knight?

      Wilson: Travis Knight is very clear in his direction. He knows exactly what he wants, which is especially helpful when there’s potential for confusion due to the complex costume. It really helped having a director who communicates well about what they want and what they don't. Travis also has a great sense of humor. He remains calm and is genuinely a nice guy.

      Digital Trends: Can you elaborate on your costume? How much of it was practical versus CGI?

      Wilson: I can start with the CGI aspects. There was a shoulder piece, and the blaster was quite bulky. The props department crafted these items beautifully. The hook I used in the film was real and metallic; it wasn't enhanced in post-production. The knife followed a similar story.

      For some movements, CGI was utilized, but most of the costume was practical. The only moment where my jaw drops to reveal wires inside my mouth involved me being painted in vantablack, which absorbs light. I also had black dye around my mouth and wore a black gum shield.

      Digital Trends: Alongside the creature design, your fight scenes with Adam and Duncan were memorable in the film. What was that experience like?

      Amazon MGM Studios / Amazon MGM Studios

      Wilson: Nicholas, who plays Adam, is an incredibly sweet person. We trained together before filming, going to the gym and practicing stunts, which helped us bond. He’s genuinely lovely.

      Idris Elba's character may not be as prominent as He-Man, but he is Idris Elba, which made me a bit nervous. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how great he was. After months of rehearsing the stunts and fights, he showed up just days before and executed the moves effortlessly, making it look like he was truly Man-At-Arms.

      Digital Trends: You performed all your own stunts for this film,