15 years after the premiere of
“How to Train Your Dragon,”
Gerard Butler and director Dean DeBlois stood once again at the forefront of the franchise, this time for a live-action adaptation in Los Angeles. Butler, known for his portrayal of Viking chief Stoick the Vast across three animated films, initially had doubts about reprising his role. He humorously recalled his reaction, saying,
“I was like, ‘Are you guys crazy? That’s going to be terrible.'”
Curiosity piqued, Butler sought clarity from DeBlois. The director invited him to Belfast to witness firsthand the meticulous preparations underway. Seeing the intricate designs of the dragons and the fantastical world being brought to life reassured Butler. Reflecting on this experience at The Hollywood Reporter premiere event, he shared,
“I mean I kind of got it anyway; I just wanted to play a bit hard to get.”
Despite playing a familiar character in a similar narrative arc, Butler aimed for freshness in his performance. He expressed his desire for a new beginning and immersion in portraying Stoick beyond just lending his voice as he did in the animated movies. Humorously noting his daily attire during voice recordings –
“I wore my pajamas every day”
– he highlighted the immersive nature of embodying a character on set.
DeBlois revealed that securing Butler’s return was almost thwarted by scheduling conflicts. Initially unavailable due to back-to-back projects lined up during filming, fate intervened with an actor’s strike that reshuffled production timelines favorably. This turn of events uplifted DeBlois’ spirits as he welcomed back Butler with confidence and relief.
Transitioning from animation to live-action presented unique challenges for DeBlois who harbored reservations about this industry trend displacing painstakingly crafted classics with ease. However, Universal Studios took a leap of faith by entrusting him with this transition. Pledging to preserve the original charm and emotional depth of the beloved stories on screen despite lacking prior live-action experience was paramount for DeBlois.
The film retained elements faithful to its animated origins but also embraced experimentation in certain segments under DeBlois’ direction. Noteworthy changes included enhancing Astrid’s character development—a move driven by DeBlois’ belief that she deserved more depth than initially portrayed.
Nico Parker stepped into America Ferrera’s shoes as Astrid for the live-action adaptation without direct consultation with her predecessor but hoped Ferrera would appreciate her portrayal. Sharing her excitement about landing such an iconic role despite keeping auditions discreet from friends out of fear of disappointment showcased Parker’s reverence for the franchise.
As anticipation mounted among fans awaiting its theatrical release date following its Los Angeles premiere excitement soared within cast members like Parker who found themselves living out a dream by being part of such an esteemed project.
As
“How to Train Your Dragon”
prepares to soar onto screens once again under new dimensions and interpretations blending nostalgia with innovation remains key as audiences brace themselves for an enchanting cinematic journey through uncharted territories.
