‘Masters of the Universe’ Director Travis Knight Discusses Jared Leto’s Unique On-Set Choices

Travis Knight has shared insights about his collaboration with Jared Leto on the upcoming ‘Masters of the Universe’ film, revealing intriguing behind-the-scenes details regarding Leto’s portrayal of Skeletor.

Known for directing films such as ‘Bumblebee’ and ‘ParaNorman’, Knight described Leto as an actor who consistently introduced unexpected ideas on set. He noted that Leto frequently altered scenes in surprising ways, eliciting laughter at times and creating intense or unsettling moments at others.

Knight explained, “He would do something unexpected every single day. In ways that would delight me, that would horrify me, that would make me laugh.” This unpredictable energy, according to Knight, suited the character of Skeletor, who embodies a blend of humor, danger, and insecurity.

In the same interview, Knight emphasized Leto’s dedication to crafting a memorable villain. He remarked that the actor aimed to push the character to its limits, stating, “He wanted to swing for the fences with this character. He wanted to make a villain for the ages.” Knight believes Leto achieved this goal, describing the performance as entertaining and fun to watch.

One of the most striking moments Knight recounted involved Leto’s choice to apply “blood-like” makeup to his face during filming. While already donned in a heavy prosthetic costume that transformed him into Skeletor, Leto’s face still resembled his normal self before CGI enhancements were added in post-production.

To enhance the frightening aspect of his character, Leto decided to smear red makeup on his face during filming. This choice aimed to create a more intimidating presence for his co-stars, ensuring they reacted to a more fearsome version of Skeletor rather than simply seeing Jared Leto.

Knight described this decision as beneficial for the performance, stating, “He didn’t want the other actors that he was sharing the scenes with to look at him and see Jared. He wanted them to look at him and see something scary.” He referred to this as an “act of generosity,” as it helped fellow actors maintain their characters and react more authentically during filming.

The director also addressed Leto’s reputation for method acting, often discussed in relation to past roles like in ‘Suicide Squad’. Knight clarified that, in his experience, Leto did not exhibit extreme or disruptive behavior on this set. Instead, he focused on enhancing the scene and supporting his fellow actors.

He stated, “From my own experience, which is all I can speak to, no, he was not like that.” This indicates a more controlled and collaborative atmosphere during the production of ‘Masters of the Universe’.

In the film, Leto portrays Skeletor, one of the franchise’s most iconic villains. The character has appeared in various iterations of ‘Masters of the Universe’, including animated series and the 1987 live-action film featuring Frank Langella in the role.

Knight’s adaptation also boasts a large ensemble cast, including Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Charlotte Riley, and Morena Baccarin.

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