Gerard Butler has revealed that the upcoming live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon will present a scarier experience than its animated counterpart, and he assures fans it’s a positive shift, not reminiscent of the uncanny valley horror seen in past adaptations. In response to the trend of Disney transforming animated classics into live-action epics, DreamWorks Animation has decided to join the movement with its own remake of How to Train Your Dragon, aiming for a distinctly different tone this time around.
The film marks a return for original co-director Dean DeBlois, who helmed the two sequels, and features Butler reprising his role as Stoick the Vast. In an interview with The Direct, Butler elaborated on how the live-action adaptation will differ from the animated series, stating, “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.”
Describing his excitement, Butler has emphasized that the live-action version will be an “unforgettable classic” and a “game-changer” for his career. The primary shift, he explains, is that the dragons will now exist alongside real human actors, intensifying the threat they pose. He poignantly remarked, “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.” This immersive quality is precisely what Butler believes will enhance the film’s tension and drama.
The teaser trailer for How to Train Your Dragon, recently released ahead of screenings for John Wick, underscores this shift in tone. While Toothless retains a similar aesthetic, the overall approach appears to emphasize a more straightforward action-fantasy narrative rather than the lighthearted comedic elements present in the animated film. This change is notable as the original trilogy, while touching on mature themes, began with a kid-friendly, family-oriented tone that gradually evolved with its audience. The live-action film seems to be catering to an older demographic—specifically, those who grew up watching the original movie in 2010 and are now seeking a more mature interpretation of the story.
Universal Pictures is positioning How to Train Your Dragon as one of the hallmark films of the upcoming summer season in 2025. With a release date set for June 13, 2025, it nearly coincides with the anniversary of How to Train Your Dragon 2, which premiered on June 14, 2014. While there is a noticeable skepticism surrounding Disney’s live-action remakes, the success of Mufasa: The Lion King, which grossed over $650 million worldwide, suggests a sustained audience interest in such adaptations.
DeBlois has faced questions about casting choices, such as Nico Parker in the role of Astrid, reminding fans that this movie is a fictional narrative rather than a strict historical retelling. The trend of elevating children’s intellectual property into a more mature aesthetic has found success in various franchises, with Transformers providing a prime example of how to capture a broader audience. By marketing How to Train Your Dragon similarly, there is significant potential for it to resonate with viewers of all ages.
Anticipation for the movie is building, with fans expecting more insights during the Super Bowl on February 9, 2025, when Universal Pictures will unveil a trailer that will hopefully highlight the film’s action-packed spectacle. As the release date approaches, audiences are eager to see how Gerard Butler’s vision for How to Train Your Dragon translates onto the big screen, promising an experience that is both thrilling and deeply connected to the beloved source material.