EXCLUSIVE: Sam C. Wilson, a star of Masters of the Universe, discusses the film's striking visuals, action sequences, and practical effects.

      Masters of the Universe brought numerous iconic and cherished characters back to theaters this summer. Under the direction of Travis Knight (Bumblebee), the film depicts the exiled prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) returning to his home planet of Eternia to rescue his people from the malevolent wizard Skeletor (Jared Leto).

      As the franchise's first live-action movie since 1987's Masters of the Universe, this remake underwent several years of development. After changing hands between multiple directors and production companies, Masters of the Universe finally debuted in cinemas in June 2026.

      In a discussion with Digital Trends, actor Sam C. Wilson shared his experiences with the Masters of the Universe franchise, his portrayal of the antagonist Trap-Jaw, and the creation of the film’s impressive visuals and action sequences.

      The following is a condensed and clarified version of the conversation.

      Digital Trends: What was it like to star in the He-Man movie? Were you a fan of He-Man growing up?

      Wilson: I loved sci-fi and fantasy. Although I enjoyed He-Man and comic books, it was almost missed by me since I was born in 1990. He-Man was on TV, but it felt more like a legacy cartoon for me. I grew up watching shows like X-Men and Power Rangers, and eventually mainstream cartoons like He-Man and Thundercats when we got cable around the age of seven in the UK.

      Digital Trends: Great! I see you had various acting roles before playing Trap-Jaw in the Masters of the Universe film. How does it feel to take on the role of Trap-Jaw? Is it different from your previous roles?

      Wilson: Yes, it is different. In creature acting, you have to decide how seriously your character takes themselves. Since I was playing a villain, I considered whether he was even a person or a creature, and what type of sounds he might make.

      I approached Trap-Jaw partly like Caesar from Planet of the Apes, drawing inspiration from Andy Serkis' performances to think about how he would move. The heavy trousers I wore added to the character's physicality, making it feel realistic. The prosthetics required me to relearn how to express my face, and I had to develop a voice and mannerisms for him. Adopting new physicality and voice can quickly make you feel entirely different from yourself.

      Initially, I envisioned him as more comedic, inspired by the character Rex Kwon Do from Napoleon Dynamite. I imagined him as a serious gym bro, but as I delved deeper, I realized he was actually more threatening. I kept him American and worked closely with Travis to align with the director's vision.

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

      Wilson: Travis Knight is very precise in his vision, which is helpful, especially when there’s potential for confusion due to the complexity of the costume. He communicates clearly about what he wants, which is fantastic. Travis has a great sense of humor, remains calm, and is genuinely a nice person.

      Digital Trends: Can you tell us more about your costume? How much of it was practical versus CGI?

      Wilson: I’ll start with the CGI elements. There was a shoulder piece that was CGI, and the blaster was constructed by the talented props team. The hook I used in the film was real and not enhanced in post-production; it was metallic. The knife was similar.

      When it came to movement, some alterations were done using CGI, but everything else was practical. In one scene where my jaw drops, I wore a vantablack paint to absorb light, creating a very dark effect, and I had a black gum shield.

      Digital Trends: Beyond the creature design, your fight scenes with Adam and Duncan stood out. Can you share your experience working with those characters?

      Wilson: Nicholas, who plays Adam, was incredibly kind. We trained together and became friends while preparing for the stunts. Idris, while not the character He-Man, is Idris Elba, which made me a bit nervous. However, he was genuinely nice. I had rehearsed intensely for those fight scenes, but Idris arrived just days before filming and instinctively nailed it, making it seem effortless.

      Digital Trends: So, you performed all your stunts in this film, correct?

      Wilson: Not entirely. When I was involved in scenes where I was extensively injured, my dedicated stunt double, Miles Lee, stepped in. The main role of the stunt personnel is to choreograph and film the action, ensuring it looks incredible, while also training us to execute it. I did perform most of my own fighting, especially the hand-to-hand scenes with Idris and Nicholas.

      Digital Trends: Overall, what are your thoughts on the Masters of the Universe movie?

      Wilson: I think it’s incredibly fun; it feels like a Saturday morning cartoon brought to life. I'm proud of