Kojo Attah joins us to discuss stepping into the role of Tri-Klops in Masters of the Universe, working alongside an all-star ensemble in In The Grey, and looking ahead to future action projects, including excitement surrounding the upcoming Streets of Rage adaptation.
During our conversation, Attah reflects on bringing one of Eternia’s most recognizable villains to life, the importance of representation in iconic franchises, the challenge of performing inside Tri-Klops’ elaborate armor, and why seeing future generations connect with the character has become one of the most meaningful aspects of the experience.
About Masters of the Universe
Directed by Travis Knight, Masters of the Universe brings the beloved franchise back to theaters in a live-action fantasy adventure.
After being separated for years, Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) returns to Eternia and discovers a kingdom under the control of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his world and embrace his destiny as He-Man, Adam must unite with allies including Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba).
For Attah, the opportunity to portray Tri-Klops represented more than simply joining a major franchise. It also connected him to fans who grew up with the original series, including members of his own family.
Watch The Full Interview
Topics We Discuss
- Becoming Tri-Klops in Masters of the Universe
- His brother’s lifelong connection to the franchise
- Representation and seeing Black actors in iconic fantasy roles
- Bringing a new level of swagger and presence to Tri-Klops
- Working inside the character’s armor and visor
- The challenge of performing with limited visibility
- Working with Travis Knight and the ensemble cast
- Why every character gets a memorable moment in the film
- Joining Guy Ritchie’s In The Grey
- Working alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González
- Guy Ritchie’s improvisational filmmaking style
- The possibility of future Masters of the Universe stories
- Excitement surrounding the upcoming Streets of Rage movie
- And more!
A Full-Circle Masters of the Universe Experience
While Attah was not originally a major Masters of the Universe fan growing up, his brother was deeply connected to the franchise. That personal connection made booking the role especially meaningful.
Attah shared that the project ultimately brought them even closer, allowing him to bring a character to life that meant so much to his family while also honoring generations of fans who grew up with Eternia.
The experience became even more real during the film’s premiere, which Attah described as an unforgettable moment seeing fans, costumes, and the excitement surrounding the franchise come together on a massive scale.
Reimagining Tri-Klops
One of the funniest stories from the interview involved Attah’s preparation for the role.
Expecting Tri-Klops to wield swords similar to his animated counterpart, Attah spent significant time training with various blades before arriving on set only to discover that this version of the character would rely heavily on firearms and military-style combat instead.
Even with those changes, Attah embraced the opportunity to create a version of Tri-Klops that felt both intimidating and charismatic. He explained that while the script provided a strong foundation, he intentionally brought some of his own personality into the character, helping establish the cool factor many audiences have connected with.
Why Representation Matters
One of the most powerful parts of the conversation centered around representation and legacy.
Attah spoke candidly about the emotional impact of knowing young viewers may see themselves reflected in Tri-Klops just as previous generations saw themselves in characters who inspired them growing up. He described the responsibility as both humbling and meaningful, particularly knowing that future audiences may remember his portrayal as their introduction to the character.
The conversation also explored the importance of Black performers bringing their own perspective and energy to iconic genre characters while continuing to expand who gets to exist in fantasy and action storytelling.
Surviving Inside the Armor
Becoming Tri-Klops required far more than simply putting on a costume.
Attah revealed that the armor was custom-built specifically for him, with extensive scanning, tailoring, and detailing used throughout the process. The experience initially felt overwhelming, particularly once he realized how physically demanding the costume would be.
The visor presented another challenge. According to Attah, roughly 80% of his vision was blocked while wearing it, forcing him to perform action sequences and navigate scenes with extremely limited visibility. Despite those challenges, he ultimately adapted and found the rhythm needed to bring Tri-Klops to life.
Working With Guy Ritchie on In The Grey
Beyond Masters of the Universe, Attah also discussed his role as Andre Baker in Guy Ritchie’s action thriller In The Grey.
Playing the team’s explosives expert and trusted ally to Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, Attah praised the collaborative atmosphere on set and described Ritchie’s directing style as highly improvisational. Rather than rigidly following dialogue, actors were encouraged to contribute ideas and build scenes in the moment.
Attah also expressed hope that audiences continue discovering the film, noting the effort that went into bringing the project to life and his belief that it deserves a wider audience.
Looking Toward the Future
Toward the end of the interview, the conversation shifted to what comes next.
While Attah couldn’t reveal too much about future projects, he expressed excitement about continuing to tackle physically demanding action roles while bringing emotional depth and heart to his performances.
He also shared his enthusiasm for the recently announced Streets of Rage adaptation, a franchise that was a major part of his childhood and one he would love to be involved with in some capacity.
For now, audiences can catch Attah in both Masters of the Universe and In The Grey, two projects that showcase his growing presence within the action genre.
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