For Steven Morris, working on Masters of the Universe was more than just another job. It was a full-circle moment rooted in childhood nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the challenge of translating one of pop culture’s most iconic fantasy worlds into live-action reality. Black Girl Nerds was invited to the set visit in London, UK to chat with the behind-the-scenes team about the construction of the film.
“I used to watch it as a child,” Morris recalled while walking through rows of handcrafted props from the film. “It was like reliving a bit of childhood, really, in the mid-’80s.”
As the property master on the highly anticipated adaptation, Morris oversaw the creation of an expansive arsenal of weapons, staffs, swords, and gadgets inspired by the original cartoon while also evolving them for a modern cinematic world. Every prop, from glowing magical staffs to battle-worn blasters, was manufactured on-site by Morris and his team.
“Everything we see gets made on site,” he explained. “We mold and cast literally everything.”
That hands-on approach became essential in bringing Eternia to life with a tactile authenticity. Rather than relying solely on digital fabrication, Morris emphasized practical craftsmanship and collaboration across departments.
One standout creation was the elaborate staff designed with built-in lighting effects. Despite its thin structure, the prop was wired internally so its glowing eyes could illuminate on camera through electrician-controlled lighting systems. Another magical weapon, referred to on set as “the purple,” featured crystallized chips embedded into the design to create added visual bounce and dynamic color changes during filming.
The production’s scale is evident in the sheer variety of custom-built weaponry. Teela’s (Camila Mendes) collection alone included swords, guns, daggers, and a transforming rifle-staff used during a rescue mission involving Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine). Duncan’s (Idris Elba) arsenal featured an extending mace that transitions through CGI into a larger combat weapon. Trap Jaw’s infamous transforming arm was engineered with multiple functional states, from blades to muzzle guns to hooks, with one version even designed specifically for a sequence where the character’s arm is ripped off and used against him.
For Morris, balancing fan expectations with cinematic innovation was one of the most rewarding parts of the process.
“We tried to stay true to the original,” he said, noting that director Travis Knight remained deeply invested in honoring the classic designs while still allowing room for creative evolution.
That philosophy extended to the Royal Guard weapons and villain armaments, many of which incorporated subtle redesigns and additional detailing to distinguish them from previous iterations. Some weapons were even born organically inside the workshop itself.
“One of the guys started playing with [a weapon] on the bench,” Morris shared. “It just kind of grew and grew. It got layers and layers of detail.”
Among the film’s most ambitious creations was the gear designed for Trap Jaw played by Sam C. Wilson, a character Morris described as one of the production’s most complicated builds because of the integration between physical props and CG enhancements.
“If I had to pick a favorite,” he admitted, “I would probably say the Trap Jaw stuff because that was complicated. There’s CG elements as well, so that was pretty cool.”
The film’s dedication to detail extended beyond weapon functionality. Morris and his team also incorporated Eternian language symbols and hidden design touches throughout the props, rewarding observant fans familiar with the lore.
“There is an alphabet of Eternian language,” Morris said with a smile after one attendee noticed the intricate markings. Even with the immense scope of the project, Morris revealed the team often worked under tight deadlines, balancing planned builds with unexpected additions that emerged during production.
“We’re quite tight with time frames,” he explained. “Some are a bit more pressured than others, but we’re well used to it.”
Every finalized design also underwent a legal clearance process involving Mattel and Amazon to ensure the props remained visually distinct while staying faithful to the franchise’s legacy. Still, despite the pressure, Morris described the experience as one of the highlights of his career.
“I’ve done a lot of movies,” he said. “This is definitely up there.”
Masters of the Universe premieres in theaters June 5th.
