Actor Dolph Lundgren said his hair extensions caught fire during a shootout scene while filming the live-action Masters of the Universe [1].
The incident highlights the physical risks and production pressures actors face when balancing studio aesthetic demands with extreme environmental conditions.
Lundgren, 69 [2], is reprising his role as He-Man in the 2026 film [1]. He described a situation where production requirements clashed with the reality of an outdoor winter set. According to Lundgren, the studio requested that he wear less clothing to ensure his muscles were visible on screen [1].
"The studio wanted me to wear less. They wanted to see my muscles," Lundgren said [1].
To combat the cold while remaining underdressed, the actor applied Vaseline to his skin to retain body heat [1]. He said, "We were shooting outdoors in winter, and I had to put Vaseline on to keep my body heat in" [1]. This combination of flammable materials and the pyrotechnics of a shootout scene resulted in his hair extensions igniting.
Despite the onset accident, Lundgren spoke positively about his colleagues in the production. He mentioned his co-star Nicholas Galitzine, saying, "I thought he looked great" [2].
The production of the 2026 film has involved various challenges in bringing the fantasy world to life, but the actor's account focuses on the specific tension between the visual requirements of the role and the safety of the performer [1].
“"The studio wanted me to wear less. They wanted to see my muscles."”
This incident underscores the frequent conflict in big-budget filmmaking between 'the look' demanded by a studio and the practical safety of the cast. By prioritizing muscle definition over appropriate winter gear, the production created a scenario where the actor resorted to improvised warmth—which, in the presence of pyrotechnics, became a fire hazard.
