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Actor Nicholas Galitzine has undergone a dramatic physical transformation to play He-Man in the upcoming reboot of Masters of the Universe, and he admits he would be happy if the effort earned him consideration for PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive title.
Speaking at a fan screening for the film in New York City on June 1, the 31 year old responded humorously when asked whether he would be ready to compete for the coveted honor.
"If I even break the top 100, I'll be really pleased with myself," he joked.
Galitzine also pointed out that the movie features an impressive cast, describing it as a film filled with attractive stars. He specifically highlighted co-star Idris Elba, who was named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive in 2018.
Laughing, Galitzine said he should have asked Elba for advice about holding the title, adding that the topic would probably have amused his co-star.
The pair appear together in the fantasy adventure, with Galitzine portraying He-Man and Elba taking on the role of Man-at-Arms. The story follows the heroes as they join forces to battle the villainous Skeletor, played by Jared Leto, and fight to save the planet Eternia.
Preparing for the iconic role required a major commitment from Galitzine. To achieve He-Man's powerful physique, he consumed roughly 5,000 calories a day and spent hours lifting weights. The demanding routine became a daily part of his life throughout production.
In previous interviews, the actor described the transformation as the toughest challenge of his career. He explained that maintaining the strict training schedule required constant discipline and dedication.
Galitzine said there was something rewarding about fully committing himself to such an intense goal. While he acknowledged that the process was difficult, he appreciated the opportunity to push himself beyond his limits.
The physical changes were so significant that he sometimes struggled to recognize his own appearance. He revealed that gaining the additional muscle affected how his clothes fit and even changed the way he felt about his body at times.
Despite those challenges, Galitzine remains proud of the experience. He said he feels grateful for the chance to embody such a larger-than-life character and believes the hard work was worthwhile.
Fans will soon see the results of that transformation when Masters of the Universe arrives in theaters on June 5.
