Probably the greatest issues in regards to the “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon” remake is that it brings a solid member from the 2010 animated movie again for the live-action model. Gerard Butler reprises his position as Stoick the Huge, full with additional facial hair and his signature booming voice, and relishes each second. It isn’t a jarring casting selection, however reasonably one which followers might be pleased to see, as Butler seamlessly falls again into the half. Because of his profitable integration into live-action, it makes us ponder whether there’s any house on this new tackle the world of dragons and Vikings to permit another solid members from the unique trilogy to do the identical.
With the live-action “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon” teeing up the arrival of characters we all know seem in “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 2” to indicate up in its live-action sequel, it solely is sensible that director Dean DeBlois name a few of the authentic voice actors, like he did for Butler. The truth is, there’s one key character linked to Stoick that, in the event that they did handle to carry again, might result in one of the romantic moments within the franchise being re-enacted and inflicting us to cry our hearts out over again.
Cate Blanchett as Valka Haddock
twentieth Century Studios / Common
The massive twist in “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 2” was that Hiccup’s mom, whom he believed had died from a dragon assault when he was a baby, is definitely nonetheless alive and caring for an unlimited group of them in a hidden location. Dropped at life within the sequel by Cate Blanchett, the emotional weight of Valka Haddock’s story lies within the reunion she has with the husband she has spent years hiding from. The revelation results in one of many franchise’s finest moments when, with out lacking a beat, Stoick places all of the secrets and techniques apart and confesses, “You are as lovely because the day I misplaced you,” proving simply how a lot of an absolute gent Hiccup’s dad actually is.
Bringing that second to life by way of the live-action performances from Butler and Blanchett could be a lot greater than fan service. There’s actual emotional weight to this, which Butler has confirmed he can keep it up high of his heavy Viking gear and faux beard. Blanchett would additionally make for some additional star energy that the franchise is not essentially missing, however belongs on this world that DeBlois has (to this point) finished job of creating a actuality.
Package Harington as Eret
twentieth Century Studios / HBO
You need to understand how previous “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 2” is? It arrived in theaters the identical 12 months we reached season 4 of “Recreation of Thrones,” and the world barely knew who Pedro Pascal was. Trying to capitalize on the dragon love that everybody was experiencing on the time, “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 2” solid Jon Snow himself, Package Harington, within the position of Eret, a dragon hunter who was beneath the make use of of Drago Bludvist (extra on him later). Swiftly overwhelmed by Hiccup and his friends early on within the movie, Eret ultimately switches sides and fights the great struggle right here and in “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World.” By the ultimate chapter within the trilogy, Eret even finally ends up on Hiccup’s council as his second-in-command.
Casting Harington as Eret would cement the sensible little bit of meta-casting from the unique movie, and permit the previous Jon Snow to indicate us how he might deal with extra of a comedic position whereas giving the uncomfortable strategy of dragon-riding one other go. For almost all of his profession, the previous “Recreation of Thrones” star has hardly ever fired into humorous territory apart from the sensible tennis mockumentary “7 Days in Hell,” however right here he’d have an opportunity. Seeing him play up on his historical past with dragons could be a deal with, and we additionally would not be towards him revisiting his audition tape for “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 3” in 2018, both.
Djimon Hounsou as Drago Bludvist
twentieth Century Studios / Netflix
Including Djimon Hounsou to any movie makes it significantly extra gratifying, so it might be a sensible choice for the Oscar-nominated actor to get the decision and reprise his position as Drago Bludvist in “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 2.” Making his debut in 2014 as Hiccup’s first huge enemy, Bludvist was a dragon hunter with an enormous winged military at his disposal after taking management of the Alpha dragon, the Bewilderbeast.
Within the authentic sequel, there’s a small period of time spent wanting into the backstory of Bludvist, when he reveals to Hiccup that his village was destroyed by a dragon assault, leading to him making a lifelong promise to rule them, and the world. It is this little plot thread that, if DeBlois was feeling daring sufficient, might be explored additional within the live-action model, and provides a expertise like Hounsou much more to work with. The 2025 remake has already added some additional plot threads right here and there, and this might be an incredible alternative to do the identical for what comes subsequent.
After showing within the likes of the MCU and a number of roles within the DCEU, Hounsou being the large dangerous for the live-action “Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon 2” might carry some weight to a franchise that is inevitably going to increase. If you make a follow-up, that you must flip issues up a notch, and there is completely no query that Hounsou could be the right approach to do it by coming again as Bludvist.
