Camila Mendes Discusses Her Transformation for ‘Masters of the Universe’
Camila Mendes has shared insights about her role in Masters of the Universe, detailing her experience stepping into a major blockbuster character for the first time. In the film, she portrays Teela, a warrior from Eternia, who stands out as one of the strongest figures in the narrative.
Mendes stars alongside Nicholas Galitzine, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, and Jared Leto. Her character, Teela, is depicted as a formidable fighter who also plays a crucial role in guiding the men around her as they navigate their own inner strength. Mendes expressed her attraction to the balance of physical power and emotional depth that the role offers.
When discussing the pressure of portraying such a strong character, Mendes admitted that it was initially daunting. She was concerned about how audiences might connect with someone who appears tough on the surface.
“Honestly, it was a bit daunting because I always worry whenever you’re playing a character that’s so outwardly strong that the audience is going to have trouble connecting to her,” Mendes explained. She noted that the director played a significant role in shaping Teela into a character with emotional layers beneath her tough exterior. “Travis did such a beautiful job with his vision of the film and making Teela have a lot of heart.”
Mendes also discussed the physical preparation for her role. She trained for months, focusing on building strength and muscle for the fight scenes. This experience transformed her perspective on fitness and body image.
“I love that, because I’m somebody who loves to work out. I love fitness, but I’ve never had such specific goals, especially the goal of gaining muscle and bulking up,” she noted. Mendes added that her training for the film helped her appreciate strength in a new light. “I feel like women are sometimes so afraid of putting on muscle and weight training, because they think they’re going to get super big, but it’s actually one of the best feelings ever.”
She humorously recounted how much she embraced her physical transformation during filming. “I couldn’t stop touching my muscles during this project, I kept flexing for everyone I met.”
Beyond the physical aspect, Mendes highlighted what she appreciated most about Teela’s role in the story. She emphasized that Teela is not a character who needs saving; rather, she is the one who empowers others to find their own strength.
“She can save herself,” Mendes said. “And not just save herself, but save the others around her.”
Mendes described Teela as a character who supports Prince Adam and Duncan as they grapple with their confidence and power, guiding them until they are ready to stand on their own.
When reflecting on the film’s broader themes, Mendes noted that the story represents a collective effort rather than focusing solely on one hero.
“I think they’re all heroes, that’s the whole point. It’s a group of heroes that are all helping each other,” she stated.
Mendes expressed her hope that Masters of the Universe continues as a franchise, stating that she would love to return to the role and delve deeper into the characters in future films.
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