Gwildor
Encyclopedia
Gwildor is a fictional character
from the Masters of the Universe
franchise. He was introduced into the franchise after appearing in the 1987 Masters of the Universe
film.
Gwildor is a member of the Thenurians, a dwarf-like race of people. He is known throughout Eternia
as a famous locksmith and inventor, and is notable mainly for his greatest creation: The Cosmic Key, a mechanical device with the ability to transport its holder to any place throughout space and time.
-like look. Storyboard coordinator Joe Griffith designed Gwildor..."
. Played by Billy Barty
, he was created specially for the movie to as a substitute for Orko
,whose design was too complex for the studio to produce in live action with its limited budget. Frederick S. Clarke explains that Gwildor was "reportedly a stand-in for Orko...In the series Orko has no feet or legs and is always seen floating or flying, a difficult concept to film live..."
As Cinefantastique
reveals, veteran "midget actor Billy Barty plays Gwildor, an innocent locksmith/inventor thrown into the adventure when an invention he creates inadvertently gives Skeletor his power." Thus, Gwildor's role in the movie is key to the central plot. He is introduced into the film when rescued by He-Man
from Skeletor
's soldiers. He then explains how he was tricked by Skeletor's sidekick Evil-Lyn
into giving his prize creation The Cosmic Key to the forces of evil, and thus allowing them to enter Castle Grayskull
and take over Eternia. As the unwitting cause of Grayskull's defeat, Gwildor endeavors to help He-Man overcome Skeletor by using a prototype Cosmic Key. When the heroes find themselves overwhelmed by Skeletor's army, Gwildor uses the Cosmic Key to help them escape, and the heroes are transported to Earth
, leaving Gwildor faced with the task of finding the correct programming on the Key to transport them back before Skeletor gains the power of the universe.
Gwildor is presented as absent-minded and quite bumbling, but also wise, intelligent and good-hearted, with little fear. His Cosmic Key, meanwhile, is a complex device with numerous switches and buttons, which can be used to programme sonic waves, sounds, music and light patterns which serves to transport its users to the location of their choice.
In earlier drafts of the movie's script, Gwildor's character was slightly different. He was initially described as being even smaller and unable to walk long distances, meaning he had to be carried on Man-At-Arms
' back for most of the story. He also had a fearful side to his character similar to that normally associated with the character of Cringer, and frequently becoming scared easily and cowering away from danger.
, but the toy line was cancelled before it could be made.
He appears in the accompanying mini-comic "The Cosmic Key", which once again puts Gwildor and his creation in the spotlight, but this comic has no continuity with the movie, telling a radically different story of how He-Man came to meet Gwildor, instead having him summoned by The Sorceress
to aid He-Man against an evil force.
Gwildor and the Cosmic Key also appear in numerous comics published after the movie, including those by Marvel Comics
and various European comic series.
In January of 2011, a new version of the Cosmic Key was released in the Masters of the Universe: Classics toyline. The Cosmic Key came with "Preternia Disguise He-Man", and was detailed to look like the version shown in the movie (with a few minor differences). A new Gwildor action figure is planned for release, but no date has been given at this time.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe is a media franchise created by Mattel....
franchise. He was introduced into the franchise after appearing in the 1987 Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe (film)
Masters of the Universe is a 1987 science-fiction fantasy film based on the toy line by the same name. The movie stars Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor...
film.
Gwildor is a member of the Thenurians, a dwarf-like race of people. He is known throughout Eternia
Eternia
Eternia is the name of the fictional planet that serves as a setting for the Masters of the Universe toy collection and animated series.-Origins:...
as a famous locksmith and inventor, and is notable mainly for his greatest creation: The Cosmic Key, a mechanical device with the ability to transport its holder to any place throughout space and time.
Development
In the film, "Billy Barty, as Gwildor, is given a hobbitHobbit
Hobbits are a fictional diminutive race who inhabit the lands of Middle-earth in J. R. R. Tolkien's fiction.Hobbits first appeared in the novel The Hobbit, in which the main protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is the titular hobbit...
-like look. Storyboard coordinator Joe Griffith designed Gwildor..."
The movie
Gwildor was introduced into the mythology with his appearance in the 1987 live action film starring Dolph LundgrenDolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor, director, and martial artist. He belongs to a generation of film actors who epitomise the movie action hero stereotype including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.A graduate in chemical...
. Played by Billy Barty
Billy Barty
Billy Barty was an American film actor.-Biography:Barty, an Italian American, was born William John Bertanzetti in Millsboro, Pennsylvania...
, he was created specially for the movie to as a substitute for Orko
Orko
Orko is a fictional character from the Masters of the Universe franchise. He was not part of the original toy collection on which the show is based but, when he was created by the show's writers as comic relief, a toy figure of him was then manufactured. Orko appears in the 1980s Filmation series...
,whose design was too complex for the studio to produce in live action with its limited budget. Frederick S. Clarke explains that Gwildor was "reportedly a stand-in for Orko...In the series Orko has no feet or legs and is always seen floating or flying, a difficult concept to film live..."
As Cinefantastique
Cinefantastique
Cinefantastique was a horror, fantasy, and science fiction film magazine originally started as a mimeographed fanzine in 1967, then relaunched as a glossy, offset quarterly in 1970 by publisher/editor Frederick S. Clarke...
reveals, veteran "midget actor Billy Barty plays Gwildor, an innocent locksmith/inventor thrown into the adventure when an invention he creates inadvertently gives Skeletor his power." Thus, Gwildor's role in the movie is key to the central plot. He is introduced into the film when rescued by He-Man
He-Man
He-Man is a fictional heroic character featured in the Masters of the Universe media franchise. In most variations, he is the alter ego of Prince Adam...
from Skeletor
Skeletor
Skeletor is a featured villain in the Masters of the Universe franchise and the arch-enemy and main antagonist of He-Man. Depicted as a muscular blue humanoid with a purple hood over his yellowing bare-bone skull, Skeletor seeks to conquer Castle Grayskull so he can learn its ancient secrets,...
's soldiers. He then explains how he was tricked by Skeletor's sidekick Evil-Lyn
Evil-Lyn
Evil-Lyn is a fictional character in the popular Masters of the Universe toy line and the accompanying cartoon series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe....
into giving his prize creation The Cosmic Key to the forces of evil, and thus allowing them to enter Castle Grayskull
Castle Grayskull
Castle Grayskull is a fortress located on the fictional planet Eternia. It forms a central location in the Masters of the Universe toy/comic/animation universe, and also appears in the 1987 live action adaptation....
and take over Eternia. As the unwitting cause of Grayskull's defeat, Gwildor endeavors to help He-Man overcome Skeletor by using a prototype Cosmic Key. When the heroes find themselves overwhelmed by Skeletor's army, Gwildor uses the Cosmic Key to help them escape, and the heroes are transported to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
, leaving Gwildor faced with the task of finding the correct programming on the Key to transport them back before Skeletor gains the power of the universe.
Gwildor is presented as absent-minded and quite bumbling, but also wise, intelligent and good-hearted, with little fear. His Cosmic Key, meanwhile, is a complex device with numerous switches and buttons, which can be used to programme sonic waves, sounds, music and light patterns which serves to transport its users to the location of their choice.
In earlier drafts of the movie's script, Gwildor's character was slightly different. He was initially described as being even smaller and unable to walk long distances, meaning he had to be carried on Man-At-Arms
Man-At-Arms
Man-At-Arms is the primary title of Duncan, a fictional character in the Masters of the Universe franchise. The figure's tag-line is "Heroic Master of Weapons".-He-Man and the Masters of the Universe :...
' back for most of the story. He also had a fearful side to his character similar to that normally associated with the character of Cringer, and frequently becoming scared easily and cowering away from danger.
Other media
After the release of the movie, Gwildor was incorporated into the toy line with his own action figure, complete with Cosmic Key. A life-size Cosmic Key was also planned by MattelMattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
, but the toy line was cancelled before it could be made.
He appears in the accompanying mini-comic "The Cosmic Key", which once again puts Gwildor and his creation in the spotlight, but this comic has no continuity with the movie, telling a radically different story of how He-Man came to meet Gwildor, instead having him summoned by The Sorceress
Sorceress of Castle Grayskull
The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, also known as The Goddess and Teela Na, is a fictional character from the Masters of the Universe franchise.-Original MOTU mini-comics:...
to aid He-Man against an evil force.
Gwildor and the Cosmic Key also appear in numerous comics published after the movie, including those by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
and various European comic series.
In January of 2011, a new version of the Cosmic Key was released in the Masters of the Universe: Classics toyline. The Cosmic Key came with "Preternia Disguise He-Man", and was detailed to look like the version shown in the movie (with a few minor differences). A new Gwildor action figure is planned for release, but no date has been given at this time.