Before it ever became a movie, How To Train Your Dragon was first a series of twelve children’s novels written by Cressida Cowell. The franchise has since expanded with three animated films directed by Dean DeBlois and a live-action remake of the first film also directed by DeBlois. The director returned for the 2025 live-action, and this meant reunion with some of the franchise’s previous collaborators. One notable absentee was original cast member David Tennant, who lent his voice to Spitelout, a tall, muscular Viking who is a warrior of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe. Tenant’s character was played by Peter Serafinowicz in the film, which is now in theaters. So why was Tennant not able to reprise his role in the live-action movie? In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DeBlois addressed this question and whether he considered any other original cast members aside Gerard Butler, who returned to play Stoick in the 2025 live-action remake. The director explained that they couldn’t find a “big enough role” for Tenant in the live-action, and he physically wasn’t the right fit. His comment below read:
“David Tennant is such a talented actor, and I felt embarrassed that we didn’t have a big enough role for him in the animated films. But the character that he played, Spitelout, who is Snotlout ‘s father, is just such a big, brawny, large person that I didn’t think David would physically be the right match for him. Maybe in the future we’ll find the perfect role for him, but he’s such an ingenious actor. When it came to Gerard, he wasn’t even available when we started casting the film. He had back-to-back projects that would’ve made him inaccessible during our shooting schedule. So it was actually the actors’ strike of 2023 that jostled some of those projects around, and suddenly, there was an open window where we could grab him.”

The ‘How to Train Your Dragon” Franchise Is Poised For Further Expansion

Butler and DeBlois are not the only ones from the 2010 original cast and crew to return for the latest installment in the franchise. John Powell, who composed the score for the animated film, also returned for the 2025 remake. Given that Tenant wasn’t able to make it, Butler is the only returning cast member in DreamWorks’ 2025 live-action remake. While Butler’s return as Stoick has been exciting, it almost didn’t happen, and required effort on both sides, as DeBlois’ comments suggest. How to Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters this Friday, June 13, as the live-action aims for a big box-office draw. The next installment, How To Train Your Dragon 2, is already dated for June 11, 2027. As we are set to enjoy the first film in this adventure once more, DeBlois is already plotting how the sequel will play out when it arrives.
“I think it’ll get even weightier in live action, so I look forward to that, too, because there’s something about the second movie. That, for most fans, is their favorite because it tackles tougher subject matter. It’s a little bit darker and more expansive, so I’m looking forward to it. I’m only writing right now, but I’ll get there. I’ll definitely get there.”
How to Train Your Dragon is now playing in theaters.

How to Train Your Dragon

Release Date

June 13, 2025

Runtime

116 Minutes

Director

Dean DeBlois

Writers

Dean DeBlois

Franchise(s)

How to Train Your Dragon

Mason Thames

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

Nico Parker

Astrid Hofferson

Source: The Hollywood Reporter