In recent years, Disney has been releasing live-action versions of its animated classics. DreamWorks appears to be following suit, with a remake of the first How to Train Your Dragon set to hit theaters this summer. The initial trailer and promotional images have sparked mixed reactions from fans—not just because Nico Parker is portraying Astrid, but also because the remake seems like an unnecessary, shot-for-shot adaptation of the original. However, one actor remains the same: Gerard Butler returns as Stoick the Vast. Despite some frustrations, particularly with his costume, Butler had glowing praise for the early cut of the film he watched.
The actor shared his thoughts with Entertainment Tonight while promoting the upcoming sequel to Den of Thieves. During the interview, the conversation turned to How to Train Your Dragon, and Butler reflected on the challenging but rewarding process of returning to Stoick’s character, starting with a bit of lighthearted criticism about his costume:
“Five layers of hell—that’s what it was. It took hours each day, plus another hour just to get into the costume. I’ve always wondered, while watching the animated versions, what it would actually feel like to be this big, to fully become this character, and to live in his world. One of the joys of being an actor is existing in these fictional worlds, but that’s not possible with animation. When you do a live-action version, suddenly you’re there, standing in those arenas, in that Viking village.
As for the film itself, it’s incredible. I’ve seen it—though it’s still without visual effects—and it’s fantastic. I can’t wait for the world to see it!”
So, there you have it—an answer to the question of why the remake was made. For actors, at least, it’s an exciting opportunity to step into the real-world equivalent of an animated universe, especially if they’ve been part of the franchise since its inception as voice actors. And it’s promising to hear that the story works even without completed visual effects.
The How to Train Your Dragon remake will hit theaters on June 12. Dean DeBlois, the original creator, wrote and directed the adaptation. He also addressed the backlash over Nico Parker’s casting and the broader debate about whether the remake was necessary.
