Latest news with #HotFuzz
Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Nick Frost addresses taking over iconic role in controversial Harry Potter series
Nick Frost has spoken out about his casting as Rubeus Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which has been plagued with controversy over author JK Rowling's anti-trans views Nick Frost has shared his aspirations to portray the beloved character Hagrid in the anticipated Harry Potter television adaptation. The esteemed actor from Hot Fuzz, 53, is set to step into the shoes of Robbie Coltrane, who memorably depicted the amiable giant and Keeper of Keys throughout the film series. Nick will join an illustrious cast including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. Luke Thallon is slated to bring Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Quirinus Quirrell to life, whereas comedy veteran Paul Whitehouse will depict Squib janitor Argus Filch. The coveted lead roles have been awarded to Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Staunton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Controversy surrounds the TV series, which has seen some Potter enthusiasts threatening to shun the HBO adaptation due to author JK Rowling's contentious views on transgender issues. While initially remaining out of the discussion surrounding the show by restricting comments following his Instagram announcement, Nick has since addressed his involvement more openly. In conversation with Collider, he expressed: "You get cast because you're going to bring something to that. While I'm really aware of what went before me in terms of Robbie's amazing performance, I'm never going to try and be Robbie." Offering insight into his approach to the role, he added: "I'm going to try and do something, not 'different,' I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there's scope for minutia. I always read Hagrid as he's like a lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child. "I think the beauty of being able to do a book a season means I get to explore that a lot more, and I can't wait. He's funny! I want it to be funny and cheeky and scared and protective and childlike. That's what I'm planning on doing." When Nick first announced his role as Hagrid on social media, he faced backlash from fans who criticised Rowling's views, which have been labelled as transphobic. Several original cast members, including Daniel Radcliffe, David Tennant and Emma Watson, have publicly disagreed with Rowling, leading to disappointment among Nick's fans about his involvement in the franchise. "Actor Nick Frost is currently getting destroyed on his Instagram for willingly joining the cast of JK Rowling's new Harry Potter TV show reboot and tacitly supporting her irredeemable bigotry. It's so bad he disabled comments on a post holding up a Harry Potter book. Not great," one person had written on X. "Honestly, I am shocked by him. I genuinely had more faith in him," another said. While further details of the series are still under wraps, HBO's chief content officer earlier this year emphasised that the TV show is "not secretly being infused" with any views when discussing Rowling's beliefs. In the wake of the massive controversy, which has seen Rowling lose a significant number of fans, Casey Bloys stated: "The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years." During an appearance on The Town podcast, when questioned about his concerns regarding her opinions, he elaborated: "We already have a show on HBO from her called C.B. Strike that we do with the BBC. "It's pretty clear that those are her personal, political views. She's entitled to them. "Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter." The Harry Potter TV series is expected to air in 2027.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Gerard Butler jokes he had to get out of his pyjamas for live-action dragon film
Scottish actor Gerard Butler has joked it was fun to "get out of my pyjamas and actually put on a costume" to star in the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon. The film star, 55, who voiced Chief Stoick the Vast in the animated films, has reprised his role as the Viking for the new version, which follows the same narrative as the 2010 film inspired by Cressida Cowell's book series. Speaking to the PA news agency at a photocall for the film, he said: "It felt really, really good going from the animation into the live action. "It was cool because up until that point I was just a voice wearing my pyjamas. "I had to get out my pyjamas and actually put on a costume … so that was fun. "It felt great to be able to step into the (How To Train Your Dragon) world … and have a chance to get my teeth into the character and actually deal with Vikings all around me." Butler praised the performance of Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost who made his debut as Stoick's friend Gobber, a role that was previously voiced by Craig Ferguson. Butler told PA: "I have to say, I came out the film the other day, I wrote him, because I hadn't seen him for a bit, I wrote him the longest text because he's so good in the movie." He added: "It was a great script to play with. You put on that costume, you step into that world, and it was really like, just going and playing in the sandbox. "And I felt like there's a big version of Stoick that in the movie, a lot of time, it was pontificating in speeches, but here you can give a lot of different colours in that." In the film, Hiccup (Mason Thames), the overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast defies centuries of tradition when he befriends a dragon called Toothless – challenging the foundations of Viking society. The film will arrive in cinemas on 9 June.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Gerard Butler on his time filming How To Train Your Dragon
The 55-year-old actor from Paisley reprises his role as Chief Stoick the Vast, whom he originally voiced in the beloved animated trilogy. This time, however, Butler isn't just lending his voice—he's fully suited up. (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) READ MORE: Star of hit Netflix series recalls 'heady days' at University of Glasgow unions He said: 'It felt really, really good going from the animation into the live-action. 'It was cool because up until that point, I was just a voice wearing my pyjamas. I had to get out of my pyjamas and actually put on a costume… so that was fun.' The Renfrewshire actor described stepping into the live-action world of How to Train Your Dragon as a refreshing and immersive experience. He added: 'It felt great to be able to step into the (How To Train Your Dragon) world … and have a chance to get my teeth into the character and actually deal with Vikings all around me.' The film, a faithful adaptation of the 2010 animated hit inspired by Cressida Cowell's book series, also stars Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost, who takes on the role of Gobber, previously voiced by Craig Ferguson. Butler praised Frost's performance, saying: 'I have to say, I came out of the film the other day and wrote him the longest text because he's so good in it.' (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) READ MORE: H Beauty teases first look inside new Glasgow store as opening date revealed (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) He continued: 'It was a great script to play with. You put on that costume, you step into that world, and it's really like just going and playing in the sandbox. 'And I felt like there's a big version of Stoick that in the movie, a lot of time, it was pontificating in speeches, but here you can give a lot of different colours in that.' The story centres on Hiccup (played by The Black Phone star Mason Thames), the underdog son of Chief Stoick, who challenges centuries of Viking tradition when he befriends a dragon named Toothless. How to Train Your Dragon soars into cinemas on Monday, June 9.
STV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Gerard Butler jokes he had to get out of his pyjamas for live-action dragon film
Scottish actor Gerard Butler has joked it was fun to 'get out of my pyjamas and actually put on a costume' to star in the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon. The film star, 55, who voiced Chief Stoick the Vast in the animated films, has reprised his role as the Viking for the new version, which follows the same narrative as the 2010 film inspired by Cressida Cowell's book series. Speaking to the PA news agency at a photocall for the film, he said: 'It felt really, really good going from the animation into the live action. PA Media Nick Frost, Mason Thames, Gerard Butler and Nico Parker attend a photocall for How To Train Your Dragon (Ian West/PA). 'It was cool because up until that point I was just a voice wearing my pyjamas. 'I had to get out my pyjamas and actually put on a costume … so that was fun. 'It felt great to be able to step into the (How To Train Your Dragon) world … and have a chance to get my teeth into the character and actually deal with Vikings all around me.' Butler praised the performance of Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost who made his debut as Stoick's friend Gobber, a role that was previously voiced by Craig Ferguson. Butler told PA: 'I have to say, I came out the film the other day, I wrote him, because I hadn't seen him for a bit, I wrote him the longest text because he's so good in the movie.' PA Media Actor Gerard Butler (Ian West/PA). He added: 'It was a great script to play with. You put on that costume, you step into that world, and it was really like, just going and playing in the sandbox. 'And I felt like there's a big version of Stoick that in the movie, a lot of time, it was pontificating in speeches, but here you can give a lot of different colours in that.' In the film, Hiccup (Mason Thames), the overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast defies centuries of tradition when he befriends a dragon called Toothless – challenging the foundations of Viking society. The film will arrive in cinemas on Monday June 9. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Gerard Butler jokes he had to get out of his pyjamas for live-action dragon film
The film star, 55, who voiced Chief Stoick the Vast in the animated films, has reprised his role as the Viking for the new version, which follows the same narrative as the 2010 film inspired by Cressida Cowell's book series. Speaking to the PA news agency at a photocall for the film, he said: 'It felt really, really good going from the animation into the live action. 'It was cool because up until that point I was just a voice wearing my pyjamas. 'I had to get out my pyjamas and actually put on a costume … so that was fun. 'It felt great to be able to step into the (How To Train Your Dragon) world … and have a chance to get my teeth into the character and actually deal with Vikings all around me.' Butler praised the performance of Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost who made his debut as Stoick's friend Gobber, a role that was previously voiced by Craig Ferguson. Butler told PA: 'I have to say, I came out the film the other day, I wrote him, because I hadn't seen him for a bit, I wrote him the longest text because he's so good in the movie.' He added: 'It was a great script to play with. You put on that costume, you step into that world, and it was really like, just going and playing in the sandbox. 'And I felt like there's a big version of Stoick that in the movie, a lot of time, it was pontificating in speeches, but here you can give a lot of different colours in that.' In the film, Hiccup (Mason Thames), the overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast defies centuries of tradition when he befriends a dragon called Toothless – challenging the foundations of Viking society. The film will arrive in cinemas on Monday June 9.
