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BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
How to Train Your Dragon star Gerard Butler 'felt like Belfast's adopted son'
Hollywood actor Gerard Butler has said he felt like Belfast's "adopted son" while filming How to Train Your Dragon in Northern first live-action remake of the hit animated trilogy was produced across a number of locations in early of its release in cinemas on 9 June, Universal confirmed a sequel will be Butler told BBC News NI he "can't imagine" it being filmed anywhere other than back in Northern Ireland. He plays the role of Viking leader Stoick, in the Dean DeBlois-directed story of a conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictions isle of Berk. The real-life locations that make up Berk in the film are in Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north Antrim coast and Tollymore Forest in County Down. Speaking of his time living in Belfast, Gerard Butler described the locals as "his people"."There's not much of a difference whether you're in Glasgow or if you're in Belfast," he added."I felt like they felt like I was their son."Everybody just kind of adopts you, it was great, I loved being there." Filming How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland The production spent several months filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios."These sets are some of the best ever built," he said."And that was the Northern Irish crew and they did a great job. That wasn't easy to do. "Because when you watch these animated films, you say how [are] you ever making this? How [are] you going to pull this off. "And we did it."The Scottish actor, who was born in Paisley, said he loved filming in Northern Ireland and was well used to the cold temperatures - when he wasn't wearing his huge costume. "I say it was cold, [but] I was cold when I wasn't working. When I was working, I was hot. "Everyone else was cold, but I had seven layers on. That costume was really heavy. I wore that for nine weeks. "When I'd everything on, it was 90 lbs. "It was intense, but it also meant I could fully transform into Stoick - I felt like when I stepped onto that set, I've got that helmet, I'm like eight feet tall, like 'I'm here, it's hard not to notice'." Gerard Butler's 'crazy' run-in at Northern Ireland pub Away from the set, Butler caused quite a stir when spotted out and about in Belfast and nearby said it could "get a bit crazy" at times, with fans keen to say one occasion, he thought one bar, described as "an old man's pub", would be "cool" with him and create no fuss."I walked in and there were three different people who recognised me. "And I'm saying hello to them. "The whole bar started moving our way, it was late at night, everyone was drunk."These guys said to us, we'll help you and they kind of pushed us back out the door - basically because it got so crazy in there."I had said to my manager before, this one's good, this is an old's man's pub. They'll be cool… then barged back out the door, like OK, OK maybe not tonight," he added, laughing at the about the film's sequel, he said he was "sure it will happen in Northern Ireland"."I can't imagine it happening anywhere else. I know Dean [DeBlois] our director loved it there, loved the crew, everybody did."The people worked really hard. It's a lot of work to make these movies. This one was huge. So people there did a great job. He was over the moon with the whole crew. So I can't imagine it going anywhere else." Meanwhile Butler's castmate Nick Frost also proclaimed his love of the city."It's full of history, it's beautiful and I got to see the H&W cranes," the Shaun of the Dead star said."As a bit of an engineering fan, I loved that they were right where we shot. It's incredible. Love it."As for returning to Northern Ireland to shoot a sequel, Frost admitted he had another preference."I'd like them to shoot in my house or in the garden, if they could build a little set somewhere near my house."Referring to the types of dragon featured in the movie, he added: "I could probably fit a Terrible Terror, but I couldn't fit a Night Fury." The young stars of the film - Mason Thames who plays Hiccup and Nico Parker who plays Astrid - said it would be a joy to film "whereever it is". "Northern Ireland would obviously be amazing because it would be like a big reunion," Thames said."I think we'll go back there regardless."The pair described the filming conditions as "freezing on the north coast", but "gorgeous". They admitted their love for the Northern Irish accent, and also revealed a case of food poisoning that afflicted the entire crew - except, that is, for Mason Thames who said he escaped the bug thanks to his first attempt at cold-water the temperatures however, he said it was an activity he wouldn't be trying again.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dragon live-action remake had 'all sorts of challenges'
Dragon live-action remake had 'all sorts of challenges' Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, in the new live-action version of the animated movie [Universal Pictures] Filming How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland was not without its challenges, according to the film's producer. Dragons tend to be pretty large, for one thing. The upcoming feature is the first live-action remake of the hit animated series. "When they animated, they would draw it just to the convenient size they needed it to be," David Cain told BBC News NI. "But when you're working in real spaces, a large dragon is a large dragon and it takes up the space it needs." Gerard Butler as Viking leader Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars, as Stoick the Viking leader [Universal Pictures] Directed by Dean DuBlois, the film tells the story of how a human and dragon befriend each other, breaking generations of conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictional isle of Berk. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And Berk was created in a number of locations in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north coast and Tollymore Forest. Many visitors to Belfast's Titanic Quarter will have noticed the battlements of the Viking village, for instance, built just across the road from the Titanic Studios. The Sampson and Goliath cranes from the nearby shipyards towered over the set but the dragons left them alone. And the sets certainly impressed Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars as Stoick, the Viking leader. "Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story," he said in a behind-the-scenes film about the making of How to Train Your Dragon. Dunseverick Castle was one filming location [Getty Images] BBC News NI spoke to How to Train Your Dragon's producer David Cain, just before President Trump's announcement that tariffs could be applied to films made in foreign countries. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement How to Train Your Dragon began life as a hugely successful animated trilogy of films from Dreamworks Animation. And, according to Mr Cain, there are "all sorts of challenges" in turning an animated hit into a live-action film, not just the size of the dragons. "You're trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy," he said. "While at the same time bringing something fresh and new to the table." Director Dean DuBlois gives on set direction to Nico Parker [Universal Pictures] In Belfast, the production spent several months in early 2024 filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We also built substantial sets on our back lot," David Cain said. "Obviously a lot of our work takes place on the mythical island of Berk and its village, so we built a lot of our sets outside for natural light and natural weather." Audiences in Northern Ireland will quickly recognize the rugged coastline of Dunseverick, where teenagers Hiccup - played by Mason Thames - and Astrid - played by Nico Parker - have a heart-to-heart talk in one of the film's key scenes. Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, challenging Viking certainties and the conflict with the dragons. Game of Thrones and Northern Ireland's reputation Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Nico Parker as Astrid [Universal Pictures] David Cain said Northern Ireland was "doing everything right" in trying to attract more big films. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "I think you now have a ground of talent in crew," he said. "What we know as extras, the guys are just so good. "You've got stages now - I know Belfast Harbour is kind of growing as a development and there's other stages around." Six years after it ended, it is clear that Game of Thrones left a lasting legacy. David Cain thinks that How to Train Your Dragon can also screen Northern Ireland to the world. "Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that's been done there and there's been numerous films made there," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We're a big film and hopefully it'll draw attention to the talent and locations and stages and the beauty that Northern Ireland has on offer." How to Train Your Dragon is in cinemas on 13 June.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How To Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland
How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland was not without its challenges. Dragons tend to be pretty large, for one thing. That is according to the film's producer, David Cain. "When they animated, they would draw it just to the convenient size they needed it to be," he told BBC News NI. "But when you're working in real spaces, a large dragon is a large dragon and it takes up the space it needs." How to Train Your Dragon is the first live action version of the films in the hit animated series. Gerard Butler as Viking leader Directed by Dean DuBlois, it tells the story of how a human and dragon befriend each other, breaking generations of conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictional isle of Berk. And Berk was created in a number of locations in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north coast and Tollymore Forest. Many visitors to Belfast's Titanic Quarter will have noticed the battlements of the Viking village, for instance, built just across the road from the Titanic Studios. The Sampson and Goliath cranes from the nearby shipyards towered over the set but the dragons left them alone. And the sets certainly impressed Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars as Stoick, the Viking leader. "Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story," he said in a behind-the-scenes film about the making of How to Train Your Dragon. BBC News NI spoke to How to Train Your Dragon's producer David Cain, just before President Trump's announcement that tariffs could be applied to films made in foreign countries. Dunseverick Castle was one filming location [Getty Images] How to Train Your Dragon began life as a hugely successful animated trilogy of films from Dreamworks Animation. And, according to David Cain, there are "all sorts of challenges" in turning an animated hit into a live action film, not just the size of the dragons. "You're trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy," he told BBC News NI. "While at the same time bringing something fresh and new to the table." In Belfast, the production spent several months in early 2024 filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios. "We also built substantial sets on our back lot," David Cain said. "Obviously a lot of our work takes place on the mythical island of Berk and its village, so we built a lot of our sets outside for natural light and natural weather." Audiences in Northern Ireland will quickly recognize the rugged coastline of Dunseverick, where teenagers Hiccup - played by Mason Thames - and Astrid - played by Nico Parker - have a heart-to-heart talk in one of the film's key scenes. Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, challenging Viking certainties and the conflict with the dragons. Game of Thrones and Northern Ireland's reputation David Cain said Northern Ireland was "doing everything right" in trying to attract more big films. "I think you now have a ground of talent in crew," he said. "What we know as extras, the guys are just so good. "You've got stages now - I know Belfast Harbour is kind of growing as a development and there's other stages around." Six years after it ended, it is clear that Game of Thrones left a lasting legacy. David Cain thinks that How to Train Your Dragon can also screen Northern Ireland to the world. "Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that's been done there and there's been numerous films made there," he said. "We're a big film and hopefully it'll draw attention to the talent and locations and stages and the beauty that Northern Ireland has on offer." How to Train Your Dragon is in cinemas on 9 June.
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
NI Royal visit: King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Banbridge
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have visited Banbridge, County Down, for their third and final day of engagements in Northern of people gathered in the streets holding bouquets and waved flags as the Royal couple pair shook hands with members of the public, accepted gifts and flowers, and also petted a few dogs beside some delighted King met with local business representatives at Banbridge Old Town Hall, while Queen Camilla visited the town's library. His Majesty mingled with community representatives and creative industries, including some of those involved in the TV series Games of HBO series was mostly filmed in locations across Northern Ireland, including Titanic Studios, Belfast, and Linen Mills Studios in from Southern Regional College and Total Hockey also attended the reception in the venue, which is home to a recently opened Community Advice Centre. Queen Camilla visited Banbridge Library, which has been a vital resource and learning hub for the people of Banbridge since the visit, she observed a book reading involving a number of local schoolchildren and discussed the books they enjoyed Camilla then joined a craft and chatter group to hear about their projects and how groups like this support the local community and reduce Royal Highness was then invited to cut a cake made by a local bakery before departing.
