Nicholas Galitzine Shares Experience Filming Indie Fantasy ‘100 Nights of Hero’ While Bulking up to Play He-Man: ‘I Think I Was Going Out of My Mind’

When Nicholas Galitzine arrived on the set of Julia Jackmans 100 Nights of Hero, he knew he had to leave his reservations behind. They told me, Youll be naked, covered in blood, dragging a stag through the castle, recalls the 31-year-old English actor. I just thought, Of course.

After gaining widespread recognition from streaming hits like Purple Hearts, Red, White & Royal Blue, and The Idea of You, Galitzine was eager to take creative risks, reminiscent of his role in the 2023 dark comedy Bottoms. I felt this project might not reach every theater worldwide, but it would be culturally significant and possibly a cult favorite, he says. I had the same feeling when I read 100 Nights.

Although director Julia Jackman sent him a personal letter to entice him, Galitzine didnt need it. The moment I read the script, I was fully committed. It was so visceral, and Julias style reminded me of Lanthimos, which made it a no-brainer, he explains.

Galitzine was the first to sign on, eventually joined by Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, Charli XCX, Richard E. Grant, and Felicity Jones. Despite landing the physically demanding role of He-Man in the upcoming superhero film Masters of the Universe, he dedicated ten days to shoot 100 Nights of Hero at a grand National Trust estate in eastern England.

The IFC fantasy film, premiering in theaters on December 5, reimagines the Middle Eastern folktale One Thousand and One Nights in a dystopian world where women are executed if they cannot bear an heir. The story follows the chaste Cherry (Monroe), left alone for 100 days to test her fidelity, who becomes entwined in a love triangle with the seductive Manfred (Galitzine) and her loyal maid Hero (Corrin). Hero entertains Cherry with stories, even though storytelling is forbidden.

Manfred is portrayed as physically imposing, somewhat dim-witted, and morally ambiguous, relying on his strength rather than charm to court Cherry. Since Galitzine was simultaneously bulking for his He-Man role, the physique suited the character perfectly. I was eating massive amounts of food, feeling huge and puffy. It was a lesson in the extremes actors go through. Balancing this indie film with such a massive project was chaotic, and I think it added to Manfreds madness, he says.

Despite the intensity, Galitzine adapted to Jackmans rapid, immersive shooting approach. The experience felt almost secretive. Its an exercise in instinctive actingjust go for it without overthinking. After leading large-scale productions, this felt refreshingly challenging, he notes.

Galitzine hints at additional indie projects in the works, but will first focus on filming the Red, White & Royal Blue sequel and preparing for He-Mans June debut. I had one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career with Masters of the Universe. Its massive, yet human in a way similar to Julias filmmaking. I cant wait for audiences to see itits unlike anything in its genre, he shares.

Author: Grace Ellison