'How to Train Your Dragon's' Gerard Butler had a 'transformation' reprising role

Gerard Butler is reprising his role in 'How to Train Your Dragon,' the actor had a unique concern that he didn't have to worry about in the original animated version. Butler was concerned whether he could pull off the intense costume for the live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon”

“It was a lot of different emotions going on because it took four hours to do the first costume fitting, there was so much to put on, to get it right to make it fit,” he said. “My back was breaking and I actually left full of fear because I thought, I can’t wear this costume, this whole movie’s going to fall apart because I can’t wear this costume.”

But his fears quickly subsided when he saw the finished product.

“It was metamorphosis, it was a transformation,” Butler said.

“The costumes were so incredible, as was the hair and make-up. I could transform and then dive into the journey and just play in the sandbox, but really get into the details, especially with my son.”

Butler plays Stoick the Vast, the Viking chief whose son, Hiccup, Mason Thames, defies tradition by befriending a dragon named Toothless, changing their village forever.

The “300” star enjoyed doing the voice but was excited for the chance to do even more with the character.

“When you’re doing the animation, sometimes you gotta go for a more generalized idea. You only have your voice, and it works and it’s powerful,” he explained. “But here, you can give five colors, all these nuances all in one word.” You can express your grief, your self-deprecation, your command, all in the same moment.”

Seeing the real-life set of the village of Berk, where much of the action takes place, was a breathtaking moment for the actor.

“I’ve never had those opportunities before to transport so much into a world. If that’s happening for me, I 100 percent know that when that world is augmented and finished, then the audience is going on such a ride. Such an incredible ride.”

“How to Train Your Dragon” is in theaters June 13.