Gerard Butler has shared exciting updates about the live-action How To Train Your Dragon live-action remake, which he describes as a completely different experience from the animated movies.

In a recent interview with The Direct, Butler revealed how the transition from animation to live-action has increased the emotional and visual stakes, making the film feel more immersive. He said, "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." Read his full comments below:

I just saw a rough cut. So there really were maybe 20% special effects done. And I get goosebumps when I think about it. It was so amazing and so powerful. And then you see parts of it where they are closer to being done, and your jaw just drops.

And the best way for me to describe it is, I made three of those movies over many years, and I always wondered, I love the animated movies, but I always wondered, 'God, what if this was real? What if we were really there, real people, real dragons?' And we had a chance to do that, to make it real. And I think that is one of the main differences.

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. 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.

What This Means For The How to Train Your Dragon Live-Action

A Remake That Captures The Original Magic

Toothless watching as Hiccup draws something in the sand in How to Train Your Dragon

Butler's comments hint that the film is gearing up to provide a more visceral and emotional experience. The live-action format allows for more realistic visuals and a different type of performance from the actors, which could make the story's dramatic moments hit even harder. With Dean DeBlois, co-director and co-writer for the animated trilogy, at the helm of the live-action How To Train Your Dragon, audiences can expect a faithful adaptation that captures the original's magic while offering a fresh, more realistic take on the beloved story.

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The film's special effects will be a key element in bringing the dragons to life. While the animated films were praised for their stunning visuals, witnessing the "real" dragons interact with humans offers an entirely new level of immersion. As Butler highlighted, the rough-cut special effects are already impressive, suggesting that the final product is aiming to be a visual stunner. Scenes like the dragon battles or special moments between Hiccup and Toothless might resonate more deeply with audiences. Additionally, the live-action adaptation is also an opportunity to explore the Viking world and the intricacies of Berk's culture in richer detail.

Our Take On Butler’s Comments & The Future Of How to Train Your Dragon

Expectations Are High For The Remake

A dragon breathing fire in the training arena in How to Train Your Dragon

Gerard Butler's excitement for the live-action How To Train Your Dragon is palpable. His comments highlight the film's goal of honoring the spirit of the original while offering a new, more intense take on the tales so many know and love. The film has the opportunity to appeal to both longtime fans of the franchise and new audiences who may be drawn in by the realistic visuals and will be introduced to the famous story via the live-action remake. It won't be long before we know how the How To Train Your Dragon live-action remake is received, either, as it's set to come out in theaters on June 13, 2025.

Source: The Direct

How To Train Your Dragon (2025) Official Poster
How to Train Your Dragon
Release Date
June 13, 2025
Runtime
116 Minutes
Director
Dean DeBlois
Writers
Dean DeBlois
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Mason Thames
    Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
  • Headshot Of Nico Parker In The 2024 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises
    Astrid Hofferson
  • Headshot Of Gerard Butler
    Gerard Butler
    Stoick the Vast
  • Headshot Of Nick Frost
    Nick Frost
    Gobber the Belch

How to Train Your Dragon, set on the Viking island of Berk, follows Hiccup, a young Viking who challenges tradition by befriending a Night Fury dragon named Toothless. Their bond reveals new insights about dragons and transforms Viking society's understanding of these creatures.

Studio(s)
DreamWorks Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures