Ahead of the highly anticipated release of Masters of the Universe, we were joined on the Popternative show by Sam C. Wilson, who takes on the role of the iconic villain Trap Jaw in the live-action adaptation of the beloved Mattel franchise.
Arriving in theaters on June 5, the film follows Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) as he is drawn back to Eternia after 15 years when the Sword of Power reappears. Finding his world devastated under the rule of the sinister Skeletor (Jared Leto), Adam must unite with allies Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) to reclaim his destiny as He-Man and save Eternia. Directed by Travis Knight, the epic fantasy adventure brings one of the most recognizable franchises of the 1980s to the big screen in live-action form.
The ensemble cast also includes Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, James Purefoy as King Randor, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Fisto, Charlotte Riley as Queen Marlena Glenn, and Kristen Wiig as the voice of Roboto.
Wilson highlights the intense nature of his scenes as Trap Jaw, which required a lot of stunt training and close collaboration with the ensemble cast. He also emphasizes the film’s commitment to practical effects, noting how the hands-on approach helped bring the world to life in an authentic and immersive way. “When you see characters fighting, we’re fighting. They trained us. We [really tried to] honor the practical effects. Part of the charm, I think, of [the] 80s [appeal] is knowing that everyone was there in the room together. I don’t think people want [the actors standing] about on a green screen and then placed next to each other afterwards.”
On how he built his version of Trap Jaw from the ground up, Wilson actually began with the character’s voice. Choosing to use an American accent, he also focused on the physical pain his character has endured. With no previous live-action portrayal of Trap Jaw to draw on, Wilson embraced the creative freedom to develop his own interpretation of the iconic villain.
“Trap Jaw [hasn’t] been played [in a live-action project]. He’s been voiced and the voice is where I start anyway. Trap Jaw [speaks like] it all hurts. I had the idea that his mandibles were in pain all the time and then I made him American. I then started to chew on my words; it was very fun but it actually gave me a lot of freedom,” Wilson explains.
Watch the full conversation with Sam C. Wilson below.
Masters of the Universe will release in theaters on Friday, June 5.
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