Camila Mendes fulfills superhero dream as Teela in Masters of the Universe

Camila Mendes fulfills a lifelong dream in Masters of the Universe, stepping into the role of Teela, the warrior who reconnects with Prince Adam/He-Man in the live-action adaptation arriving in theaters June 5, 2026. The Riverdale star, 31, describes the opportunity as a dream come true after years of imagining herself in a superhero blockbuster.

A Longtime Dream Realized

Camila Mendes told PEOPLE that playing Teela represents a goal she’d held for years. “More than anything, I had always dreamed of being in a superhero movie and I never imagined that an opportunity like this would come my way,” she shared in an exclusive interview. The actress noted that stepping into the Masters of the Universe franchise felt especially meaningful because the live-action space has remained largely untouched since the original 1987 film. “It was really cool to enter this world that sort of has been untouched for a really long time, especially in the live-action space,” Mendes explained. “And it was really cool to be able to bring these dormant characters to life again.” Unlike the heavily franchised worlds of Marvel and DC, Mendes saw the opportunity to create something fresh with a character who hadn’t been reimagined repeatedly on screen.

The Audition and Chemistry That Sealed the Deal

The road to landing Teela was intense but ultimately rewarding. Mendes described the audition process as “grueling” yet “very fun,” noting that she hadn’t wanted a role this badly since booking Riverdale. The turning point came during her final chemistry read with Nicholas Galitzine, who plays He-Man. “I walked out of there feeling so good because Nic and I had such an immediate dynamic,” Mendes recalled. “We were having a lot of fun and improvising.” That on-screen spark proved decisive—the chemistry between the two leads became a key factor in securing her casting. The actress also underwent extensive physical training to prepare for the action-heavy role, with interviews revealing she felt empowered by the stunt work and fitness regimen required to bring the warrior to life.

Bringing Eternia to Life

For her first major blockbuster film, Mendes encountered both expected and surprising elements of the production. While she anticipated extensive green screen work, she found that director Travis Knight and the production team created physical sets that made her feel genuinely immersed in the world of Eternia. “I think walking onto those sets, I mean, they did such a beautiful job of creating that physical world, like the sets felt expansive and it felt like I was in Eternia,” she said. “So in a way I wasn’t expecting it to be that interactive, I thought it would be a lot more green screen and there definitely was green screen in moments, but I was really genuinely surprised with how much I was able to really feel like I was living in that world.” The film also stars Jared Leto as the villain Skeletor and Idris Elba as Duncan/Man-At-Arms, bringing together an ensemble cast to revive the beloved Mattel franchise.

Sources

• People.com — Exclusive interview with Camila Mendes about fulfilling her superhero dream, the audition process, chemistry with Nicholas Galitzine, and her experience on set
• Entertainment Weekly — Coverage of the Masters of the Universe cast and production details
• The Hollywood Reporter — Initial casting announcement and film details
• IMDb — Cast and production information for Masters of the Universe (2026)