'Surreal' to see Somerset sites in superhero film

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."

"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.

According to the 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.

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."

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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