Thescreescore – Director Dean DeBlois recently revealed the surprising reason behind David Tennant’s absence from the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake. While Tennant voiced the formidable Spitelout in the animated franchise, DeBlois, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, explained that the actor’s physique simply didn’t match the character’s brawny build. "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," DeBlois confessed. "But Spitelout…is just such a big, brawny, large person that I didn’t think David would physically be the right match for him." This revelation sheds light on the difficult casting choices inherent in translating animated characters to live-action.
DeBlois’ comments also highlighted the challenges in securing the original cast. While Gerard Butler’s return as Stoick was a triumph, it almost didn’t happen due to scheduling conflicts. Only the 2023 actor’s strike created a window of opportunity to bring him on board. This underscores the precarious nature of assembling a cast for large-scale productions.
The director’s openness to future Tennant collaborations hints at a potential cameo or a new role in a sequel. However, Tennant’s packed schedule, including projects like Rivals season 2 and Good Omens, makes this a significant hurdle. The possibility remains, though, adding a layer of intrigue to the franchise’s future.
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While the live-action adaptation boasts a nostalgic return of John Powell’s iconic score, and DeBlois hopes to secure Cate Blanchett’s return as Valka, Tennant’s absence is a notable omission. The director’s admission of regret suggests a missed opportunity to leverage Tennant’s considerable talent and the audience’s affection for his voice performance. The decision, while understandable from a purely visual standpoint, leaves fans wondering what might have been. Perhaps a future installment will offer a more suitable role for this ingenious actor, allowing him to finally join the live-action adventure. The possibility of a future appearance keeps the flame of hope alive for devoted fans of the franchise. Only time will tell if this missed opportunity will be rectified. Thescreescore.com
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