Gerard Butler Braces Cold Filming in Northern Ireland for Live-Action Adaptation

Fans are buzzing with excitement for the upcoming live-action adaptation of a beloved animated film, «How to Train Your Dragon.» However, one of its stars, Gerard Butler, who reprises his role as the rugged Stoick the Vast, revealed that the on-set experience in Northern Ireland was far from warm and cozy. In an interview with Collider‘s Maggie Lovitt, Butler shared amusing details about shooting in frigid conditions and how his heavy costume acted as both armor and a personal furnace.

As reported by Lovitt, Butler described the climate during filming as «very cold and kind of miserable,» noting they shot during the coldest months from January to May. Despite the dreary conditions, Butler embraced his character’s Viking spirit, kickstarting each day with a 5 AM ice bath. «I had a hotel room that had glass right down by my bath, and for some reason, I had decided I was going to take ice baths every morning,» Butler recounted. Even with the fierce winds outside, his physical therapist helped fill the bathtub with ice to persist with the routine.

Butler’s commitment extended beyond morning ice baths; he also donned a 90-pound costume that included seven thick layers and bearskin. «I had seven layers, thick layers, and a thick beard, and then I had a kind of bearskin or wolfskin over it,» Butler explained. With the sword, shield, and helmet, his ensemble proved to be heavy, often leaving him soaked in sweat despite the cold. «When I had my sword and my shield and the helmet … I was, in the middle of the coldest day, soaking wet from sweat inside because it was like a furnace in there,» he laughed.

The challenges of shooting also included keeping his makeup and prosthetics in place amid excessive sweating. «My beard’s coming off because of the sweat,» Butler said. Despite being warmer than his fellow cast members, Butler faced issues with his Artificial components needing constant reapplication.

The live-action version of «How to Train Your Dragon,» directed by Dean DeBlois, is set to fly into theaters on June 13, 2025. The adaptation has sparked anticipation and some skepticism, as fans of the original animated film await to see how the transition to live-action unfolds. Cast members Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, and Ruth Codd are set to join Butler in this ambitious cinematic venture.