‘Do We Not Get Somebody Bigger?’: How to Train Your Dragon Remake Nearly Recast Its Only Returning Star

DreamWorks

Fans of the original How to Train Your Dragon animated trilogy from DreamWorks likely got used to a certain actor voicing Stoick the Vast in the films. As it turns out, that actor, Gerard Butler, was nearly recast when it came time to make the live-action version of the film. Per Screen Rant, via Empire Magazine, Butler and director Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original films and is directing the live-action one, said many factors were at play that almost led to Butler not returning to the role.

DeBlois said things like conflicts in schedules and other actors being considered for the role, and even doubts about Butler being right for the live-action part, impacted how things played out. “I (texted) Gerry and I said, ‘Just so you know, we really tried, and it’s really disappointing to me that you can’t assume the role,’” DeBlois revealed.

“Immediately, I went, ‘Wait a minute, wait a minute.’ What are you saying here?…Dean fought really hard to get me, when maybe the studio was saying, ‘Do we not get somebody bigger?’” It turns out that Butler is the lone voice actor who is returning for the live-action film, which hits theaters on June 13.

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A New Take on the Original Animated Film

DeBlois explained that Butler was perfect for the part because of his interest in Vikings and mythology and how he could draw on personal experiences to really “dig into” the role of Stoick and his father/son relationship with Hiccup (Mason Thames).

The live-action How to Train Your Dragon reimagines the 2010 animated movie based on the Cressida Cowell book series. It follows Hiccup and his new friend, a dragon named Toothless. Butler stars alongside Thames, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Murray McArthur, and Harry Trevaldwyn.

 

DreamWorks
Image via Universal
Image via Universal Pictures

Image via Universal Pictures







“I’m So Excited,” Butler Says About the Live-Action Film

Butler, in an interview with Screen Rant earlier this year, said the upcoming live-action version of the beloved animated movie might be a bit more frightening than its predecessors. “When a dragon is breathing fire over a bunch of actual Viking men and women running, it feels a lot more scary than when it was animated,” Butler said.

“You have a little more you can distance yourself, but this feels much more involved and just immersive. I’m so excited to see how it is when it’s finished because I think every second is going to be precious,” Butler added.

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A Sequel is Coming in 2027

DreamWorks/Universal is anticipating a hit from How to Train Your Dragon and has already announced a sequel to the movie ahead of its release. At CinemaCon, the sequel was announced by DeBlois, Parker, and Butler. The sequel already has a premiere date confirmed and will hit theaters on June 11, 2027, marking two years between movies. DeBlois will return to direct the sequel, along with Thames and Parker returning to reprise the roles of their characters, Hiccup and Astrid.

How to Train Your Dragon hits theaters on June 13. The original animated trilogy is streaming on Peacock.