Gerard Butler Reveals the Spooky Twist in Live-Action ‘Dragon’ Remake

Gerard Butler shares that the upcoming live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” promises a more intense experience compared to its animated predecessor, but in a favorable and less disturbing manner than the initial design of Sonic the Hedgehog. Following Disney’s successful transformation of their animated films into live-action blockbusters, DreamWorks Animation is now following suit with a remake of “How to Train Your Dragon”. Although the movie appears to be taking a different approach from the original film, Dean Debois, one of the original co-directors and later the sole director of the sequels, will return to helm the live-action production, with Gerard Butler set to reprise his role as Stoick the Vast.

During a chat with The Direct, Butler discussed the differences between the upcoming live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon” and its animated predecessor.

For numerous years, I produced three films in the animated genre, often pondering, ‘How amazing would it be if this was a live-action movie? If we were actual people interacting with real dragons?’ The opportunity to bring this concept to life presented itself, and I believe that’s what sets this project apart.

For Butler, the unique aspect lies in having dragons coexist with actual humans, thereby amplifying their menacing and terrifying nature. Butler elaborated on this transformation from animated to live-action, explaining that it significantly alters the film’s atmosphere.

Experiencing a dragon belching flames while real Vikings flee brings on a sense of intense fear compared to watching an animated version. The distinction between observer and participant seems less pronounced, creating a more engrossing experience overall.

In November 2024, a preview for “How to Train Your Dragon” was shown before “Wicked” screenings, showcasing a shift in tone. Though Toothless remains largely unchanged, the trailer suggests a fresh approach to “How to Train Your Dragon”. The film’s humorous aspects are being diminished, and instead, the live-action adaptation focuses on an action-packed, fantasy narrative.

The initial How to Train Your Dragon series indeed tackled complex themes and delved into darker territories, yet it maintained a light-hearted family atmosphere that evolved with each sequel as its intended viewers aged. Nowadays, it appears the franchise is attempting to cater more towards an older demographic, probably those who first watched the movie in 2010 and have since grown up.

A History of Dragons

As a movie connoisseur looking ahead to the summer blockbusters of 2025, I’m thrilled to announce that Universal Pictures has chosen “How to Train Your Dragon” as one of their flagship titles. Mark your calendars for June 13, 2025, a date that coincidentally falls just a day after the anniversary of “How to Train Your Dragon 2’s” 2014 premiere. Despite the recent trend of lukewarm reactions towards Disney live-action remakes, one can’t help but question if fans would still express similar reservations about “How to Train Your Dragon.”

It’s possible that the notion that audiences are growing weary of these Disney live-action adaptations might be a bit exaggerated, as demonstrated by the staggering $653 million gross earned by “Mufasa: The Lion King” worldwide. This suggests that there remains a strong interest in this genre of filmmaking.

Transforming a property initially designed for children into something slightly more sophisticated in terms of aesthetics has proven successful for other franchises. A prime example is the Transformers series, whose 2007 film marketed itself as an adult-friendly summer blockbuster, allowing people unfamiliar with the toy line or cartoon to enjoy it. This approach made it appealing for average moviegoers to watch on a summer night out with friends. Similarly, this strategy could be effective for How to Train Your Dragon. Anticipation is building among fans as Universal Pictures is expected to release a Super Bowl trailer for How to Train Your Dragon on February 9, 2025, potentially showcasing more action-packed scenes.

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2025-02-03 08:01