Gerard Butler isn’t just a big name in Hollywood; his on-screen presence is so commanding it made the cast and crew of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake “cower a little bit,” according to young star Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup. Butler returns as the formidable Stoick the Vast, and his transformation into the Viking chieftain was evidently quite impactful.
Thames shared with People that when Butler arrived on set in full costume, his portrayal of Stoick was so authentic, it created a tangible atmosphere of awe. “When he would walk on set, you would feel that presence,” Thames explained. The cast and crew were so impressed by his commanding appearance and demeanor that they even started calling him “chief.”
“It’s insane to see it in person, and him bringing that character to life with the voice, the energy, the giant brute force that Stoick is, him bringing that to life was so incredible to watch,” Thames added. “I feel like he would walk on set and everybody would kind of cower a little bit, including myself.” It’s clear that Butler’s commitment to embodying Stoick the Vast is making a powerful impression on set. Sources
