When director Dean DeBlois (known for “Lilo & Stitch”) decided to revisit the world of “How to Train Your Dragon” and adapt its animated version into a live-action movie for Universal Pictures, one of his goals was to address some aspects that he recognized were concessions made during the original’s hurried production.
Previously this year, DeBlois shared with NBC Insider that this live-action adaptation provided him a chance to tell the story once more.
He clarified that it’s an innovative take on the story, staying true to its essence, but also providing opportunities to deepen character interactions, add layers, and introduce some mythological elements that may have been absent in the original version.
During our recent interview with DeBlois, Mason Thames (Hiccup), Nico Parker (Astrid), Gerard Butler (Stoick), and Nick Frost (Gobber), we inquired about the significant alterations in this movie that they found particularly satisfying, as these changes seemed tailored to their character portrayals.
WARNING: This following content reveals details from the live-action version of the How to Train Your Dragon film.
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CAUTION: The rest of this piece discloses information about the live-action adaptation of the How to Train Your Dragon movie.
Stoick rallies his forlorn Vikings
In one of the significant expansions to the live-action “How To Train Your Dragon” lore, Hiccup initially reveals that Isle of Berk is a united Viking settlement formed by the bravest warriors from all clans. Due to the constant threat posed by dragons, these valiant fighters joined forces on Berk to strategically position themselves near their adversaries, with the intention of eliminating them for good through collective efforts.
In the transition from the animated movie to its live-action version, Gerard Butler, as the sole actor repeating his role, had the exclusive opportunity to reassess his portrayal of the character and consider what changes he wanted to make, ultimately embodying Stoick the Vast by literally putting on his boots.
Butler pondered, “It seemed as if I became a genuine, authentic Stoick. I got the opportunity to embody such stature, to don the armor and costume, and revel in the movements and postures they conveyed. But it was also about delving deeper into his mythology, their mythology, exploring further aspects of his leadership and his role as a chieftain. This allowed for a richer palette, adding more depth and nuance to his character with my actions and voice.
Actually, a fresh scene has been added to Berk’s Great Hall. In this scene, Stoick the Vast calls together all the battle-trained warriors from the island, aiming to lift their disheartened spirits following another defeat at the hands of a dragon assault.
As a gamer, I scripted that new sequence with the intention of providing some background for the diverse band of warriors residing in Berk. Moreover, it was my aim to offer Stoick an opportunity to truly shine. It’s simply thrilling to imagine how he breathes new life into a group of warriors who have been defeated and weary, giving them all a renewed sense of determination in just one scene.
He went on to say that he appreciated Gerry Butler having to step out of his comfort zone,” he said. “It wasn’t just a speech, but a bit of strategic maneuvering. This gave us a glimpse into his public persona as a politician. Following that, he had to be incredibly open and vulnerable towards Gobber [Nick Frost] when he confessed to being a poor single father struggling with raising the child.
As I stepped into Stoick’s armor for the live-action movie, I could finally feel the character come to life beyond my voice acting in the animated films. The Great Hall scene in particular was filled with emotional beats that I got to bring to life, making it a truly memorable experience for me as an actor.
He expressed his fondness for the Great Hall, stating it was his most cherished spot due to the palpable energy in the room, which gave him goosebumps. Speaking of the occasion when he got to perform there among all the actors and crew, he felt it was a time when he could truly express himself freely and inject a lot of his own personality into the performance. That day felt incredibly vibrant and alive, with everyone involved, from lead actors to background artists, praising his work as ‘great’. All in all, it was an enjoyable day for everyone.
As a game-loving enthusiast, I realized that the intensity I was pouring into Stoick could be channeled throughout the entire movie. At one moment, I exclaimed to my teammates, “Alright, let’s go! I need you to bring it all out for me now! We’re about to take this Great Hall to new heights!” And with that, I couldn’t help but laugh with excitement.
Hiccup about to change the whole Isle of Berk
In the movie, a significant scene arrives later where Hiccup is on the verge of entering the training arena, ready to eliminate a dragon and demonstrate his value to Berk. Thames mentioned this scene as one of his favorites due to the intense emotion he experienced for his character during that part.
In this scene, Hiccup pauses, feeling the weight of the tunnel around him, as he listens to his father. The impact is immense because at this moment, his father is genuinely proud of him for the first time, and accepting him…yet, it’s under circumstances that are problematic. He senses he’s about to let down his father and the entire tribe once more. Gathering his courage, Hiccup aims to prove what he believes is right to them, hoping to persuade them to reconsider their stance.
I delved deep into the complexities of Hiccup’s character, focusing on a darker and more melancholic aspect. After all, consider the weight of expectations he carries – not being accepted by his village, yearning to prove himself to his father as the true Viking he is. It’s a burden that I can hardly fathom for a child. This somber side was an intriguing and enjoyable aspect to bring out in the story.
Butler added that he loved the work that Thames did as Hiccup.
He expressed his greatest pride in the scenes he shared with Mason. He felt that the father-son relationship allowed them to delve deeply into its complexity. The struggles for Stoick, his anguish over his son, his efforts to connect and protect him, and the scorn he faced, were all aspects he found particularly challenging. Yet, he believed that both he and Mason could bring so much more depth to these moments. Consequently, these scenes offer a richer, more emotional, intricate, and engaging viewing experience. These are the ones he is most proud of.
Nick Frost’s Gobber the Belch gets a softer side
In the animated movie, British actor Nick Frost takes on the role of Gobber the Blech, a dragon trainer within the Viking community. Known for his humor, Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson provides the voice for this character.
Frost mentioned that if he had walked in and Dean had commented on Craig’s impressive performance and suggested they replicate it, asking if Frost could adopt a Scottish accent, Frost would have responded positively, saying something like ‘Sure, sounds great! Yes, I can definitely do that.’
However, upon entering and conversing, Dean displayed the peculiar act of presenting me with dragon images. At this point, I found myself in a situation that felt like grooming, and it was effective! He chuckled. Then he said, “What we previously did is what you see now, but what would you prefer to do? What are your ideas?” To me, this is fantastic. It offers an opportunity for collaboration and for my thoughts to be heard.
When queried about his inspirations behind the character design of Gobber, Frost explained, “I envisioned him as a drill sergeant with a unique trait – he’s both a stern figure and a nurturing parent to Hiccup. Additionally, he’s Stoick’s old friend. I’ve known Ray Winstone a bit, so I wanted Gobber to embody Ray. If Ray enjoys the character, I’ll claim it’s based on him. But if he dislikes it, I won’t mention anything.
Astrid gets inside the Red Death’s maw
In the live-action adaptation of the movie, Nico Parker’s character Astrid takes on more dialogue and action roles compared to the original animated version. Instead of merely serving as a taciturn adversary to Hiccup for much of the film, this Astrid gets to express her feelings about Hiccup’s privileges and reveal her distinctive backstory to him.
Previously, in February, DeBlois shared his pride over the evolution of Astrid in this movie.
In the live-action movie, Nico Parker portrays Astrid, a character who seems to originate from a distinct culture and is a possible relative of the legendary dragon-slaying warriors sought by Vikings in various regions. The film’s expanded mythology suggests that she harbors aspirations to become the tribal leader one day, demonstrating her strong ambition.
Deblois pointed out that by granting Astrid more autonomy, it results in a far more engaging depiction of the clash between Astrid and Hiccup.
He commented on her resentment towards Hiccup, saying that, being the daughter of the Chief, she comes from a privileged background. Yet, this privilege forces her to make significant sacrifices when she chooses to support Hiccup and adopt his new perspective. Thus, not only does she display strength in various scenes, but she also exhibits a more profound development, transformation, and narrative arc throughout the story.
Parker expressed her fondest moment as watching her favorite scene of a dragon being defeated, which took place during the final battle against the Red Death dragon in the movie. Notably, this dragon is incredibly colossal in the live-action version that it boasts several levels for characters to navigate during combat. In an exciting twist, Astrid got to engage in hand-to-hand combat between the dragon’s enormous teeth!
She shared, “I enjoyed being inside the dragon’s mouth because that scene isn’t in typical animated films.” She went on to describe it as an exciting bonus, cool and badass. Filming it was similar to her own personal stress relief space, which she found delightful. Alone on set, she had a blast. With no clue about the final outcome since filming was unusual — I hope they share behind-the-scenes footage — it made no sense to us during production. We were all puzzled, asking, “I wonder what this will look like!
She remarked, “It was utterly preposterous, and the fact that it flows seamlessly is nothing short of amazing. Yet, I’m still incredibly proud of it because even though it was extremely taxing, you can tell I was really enjoying myself.
How to Train Your Dragon is playing in theaters everywhere now. Grab your tickets here!
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2025-06-13 14:02