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'Surreal' to see Somerset sites in superhero film

Jules Hyam,West of Englandand
Chloe Harcombe,West of England
News imageAmazon MGM Studios Masters of the Universe still. A group of superhero characters and a CGI lion are stood in a line in front of a tall building. Amazon MGM Studios
Masters of the Universe, which was filmed in parts of Somerset, stars Nicholas Galitzine (C) Camila Mendes (R) and Idris Elba (L)

Somerset residents have said it was "surreal" to see areas of the county transformed into the setting of a new superhero blockbuster.

Scenes for the new Masters of the Universe film, which stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes and Idris Elba, were shot at Wells Cathedral and Wookey Hole Caves.

Crews of more than 200 people worked at the cathedral, building sets for the filming of a battle scene.

Sally Stockman, who works at Wookey Hole Caves, said: "To see something on this scale and to be a part of it is a really eye-opening experience."

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"It was incredibly surreal, especially to see such a big production here," she added.

The film follows Prince Adam - also known as He-Man - as he returns to his home planet, Eternia, to save it from the evil forces of Skeletor.

News imageAmazon MGM Studios A still from Masters of the Universe. There is a group of actors in superhero costumes stood inside Wells Cathedral. The building is tall with arches and stained glass windows. Amazon MGM Studios
A battle scene was filmed inside Wells Cathedral

According to the county council, the film and television industry boosted the Somerset economy by about £6.6m last year.

The BBC's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Apple TV's Down Cemetery Road and Netflix's Agatha Christie's Seven Dials are among some of the recent productions to feature the county on screen.

News imageThe Very Rev Toby Wright. He has short grey hair and no facial hair. He is wearing black and white clerical clothing and is looking at the camera and smiling.
The Very Rev Toby Wright said it had been "fantastic" to see the transformation of Wells Cathedral for the film

The Dean of Wells, the Very Rev Toby Wright, said there was something "very special" about the area.

"It was fantastic having a very different universe come and join us," he said.

"It's so exciting to be able to share [the cathedral] with other people and this historic space can become something which they can enjoy and see afresh."

News imageSomerset councillor Mike Rigby. He has short white hair and is pictured inside Wells Cathedral. He is wearing a blue and white striped shirt and is looking at the camera and smiling.
Somerset councillor Mike Rigby said the film and television industry generated about £6.6m for the local economy last year

Councillor Mike Rigby said: "We're really pleased that we're able to help put this on in Somerset.

"It's a massive summer blockbuster and it shows that we can deal with the biggest productions here in the county.

"People want to see where their favourite stars have been acting, where their favourite films were set and this is a massive part of that," he added.

Masters of the Universe is in cinemas now.

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