Gerard Butler’s Unexpected Return: The Live-Action Dragon Dilemma
Gerard Butler almost missed out on reprising his iconic Viking role in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake, but fate had other plans. Despite mixed reviews, a sequel is already on the horizon.
Back in 2011, DreamWorks Animation brought Cressida Cowell’s beloved book series to life with How to Train Your Dragon, launching a blockbuster franchise that included two sequels, multiple TV spin-offs, video games, and even a globe-trotting arena show. Fourteen years later, the studio decided to revisit the magic with a live-action adaptation of the original film. While most of the original voice cast didn’t return, Gerard Butler stood out as the exception, stepping back into the boots of Stoick the Vast, the formidable Viking chieftain and father to the story’s hero.
This time around, the role of Hiccup, Stoick’s inventive son, went to Mason Thames, since Jay Baruchel, the original voice actor, had aged out of the part. Butler, known for his commanding presence, was the only familiar face from the animated cast to make the leap to live-action, bringing a sense of continuity to the new version.
Butler’s Close Call With Destiny
In a recent interview, Butler shared that he almost didn’t return as Stoick. He was tied up with another project when director Dean DeBlois reached out. Butler missed the initial call, but a follow-up message from DeBlois made him reconsider.
“I got a text from Dean two hours later saying, ‘We tried you again. You’re not available. I just want you to know I wanted you to do this so much, and I’m heartbroken’,”
Butler recalled.
“I said, ‘Wait. When is this?’ So, the other movie was pushed back, and I could fit this in the middle. It was destiny that the timing worked out, and everything unfolded as it did.”
Butler didn’t specify which film was delayed, but looking at his recent projects, it’s possible he was referring to Greenland 2: Migration, where he plays a leading role. The timing allowed him to return to the world of dragons just when the opportunity seemed out of reach.
Mixed Reactions and a Surprising Sequel
Despite Butler’s enthusiasm and the studio’s high hopes, the live-action remake didn’t land as expected. While the original animated film is widely regarded as a modern classic, the new version faced criticism for lacking the heart and originality of its predecessor. Many longtime fans saw the reboot as unnecessary, and some even called it a cash grab.
Box office numbers and reviews painted a mixed picture, but for those who grew up with the original, the remake failed to capture the same magic. Still, Butler appeared to enjoy his time on set, and the studio seems undeterred by the lukewarm response. Plans for a second live-action installment are already underway, promising more dragon-filled adventures in the near future.