Gerard Butler is reprising his animated role as Chief Stoick in the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon adaptation will follow Hiccup, a Norse teenager who, instead of killing a dragon, as his people do, befriends an injured dragon and names him Toothless.

Gerard Butler's character, Stoick, is Hiccup's father in the film, and at first, refuses to understand why his son doesn't want to abide by his people's way of life. In addition to Butler, the animated How to Train Your Dragon movies are beloved by fans, so people are eager to see how the live-action cast will portray the characters. However, as far as Butler is concerned, his return to the franchise looks set to match audience expectations.

Gerard Butler's Live-Action Stoick Looks Perfect In How To Train Your Dragon

Gerard Butler Plays Viking Leader Stoick In How To Train Your Dragon

Other than Hiccup and Toothless, Stoick the Vast is the most prominent character in the first trailer for the live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie. This makes sense, since Gerard Butler is the most recognizable member of the cast. Butler's deep, powerful voice always suited the character of Stoick perfectly in the How to Train Your Dragon animated films, and the first trailer proves that his physical presence is a perfect match for the character as well.

In the trailer, Butler's Stoick can be seen standing at the front of a Viking ship, raising his axe in the air as battle looms, and walking in front of an army of warriors. Even though the trailer only features brief shots of Stoick, Butler clearly commands every scene that the character is in. The trailer also features Stoick telling his son that he will kill dragons, which teases one of the main conflicts in How to Train Your Dragon.

How To Train Your Dragon's Live-Action Movie Can Show How Irreplaceable Gerard Butler Is As Chief Stoick

Gerard Butler's Stoick Is A Highlight Of The New How To Train Your Dragon Trailer

When it was announced that a live-action adaptation of the animated How to Train Your Dragon was being made, many fans made suggestions about who should play characters like Hiccup, Astrid, and Gobber. However, it would have been hard to find a worthy replacement for Chief Stoick. Since Gerard Butler's age aligns with his How to Train Your Dragon character quite well, it would have been a missed opportunity to not include him in the live-action adaptation.

The How to Train Your Dragon live-action movie can show that, without a doubt, Gerard Butler is the perfect actor to play Stoick. Stoick is the leader of the island of Berk, so it is essential for him to have a commanding presence. Throughout his career, Butler has proven himself adept at portraying natural leaders – whether it's King Leonidas in 300, or Mike Banning in the Has Fallen franchise. This inherent authority makes him perfectly suited to a character as domineering as Stoick in How to Train Your Dragon.