Gerard Butler on How to Train Your Dragon: Live Action vs. Animation

Gerard Butler Talks 'How to Train Your Dragon' Live Action: A Deeper Dive into Hiccup's Father. London, UK - June 10, 2025. The long-awaited live-action adaptation of How To Train Your Dragon has finally hit theaters. In a recent interview with HuffPost UK, star Gerard Butler delved into the differences between this version and the animated original. Butler, who voiced Stoick the Vast in the animated films, now portrays him in the live-action adaptation. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to fully embody the character: "I had a chance to not just be the voice, but completely transform into that character." He also highlighted the emotional depth he could explore in the live-action version, particularly in the father-son relationship between Stoick and Hiccup. "In the father-son relationship, you could see this man's strength, but I could play more with the cracks in that wall," Butler explained. The live-action film promises a captivating experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. The blend of familiar story elements and new emotional layers, as described by Butler, suggests a unique and compelling cinematic experience.