5 Minutes
Phil Dunster Cast as Eret in Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon 2
Phil Dunster, best known for his breakout role as Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso, has officially joined the cast of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2. The casting announcement arrives shortly after director and writer Dean DeBlois confirmed the start of filming on social media, and it fills a notable gap in the film’s previously released cast list.
The final ensemble already includes Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, Gerard Butler returning as Stoick, Nick Frost as Gobber, Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Brannagh James as Ruffnut, Gabriel Howell as Snotlout, and Harry Trowbridge as Tuffnut. Cate Blanchett reprises her animated role as Valka in the live-action adaptation, and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson has been cast as the film’s antagonist, Drago.
Why Phil Dunster as Eret Matters
Eret is a fan-favorite character from the animated sequels — introduced in How to Train Your Dragon 2 and a recurring presence in The Hidden World. In the animation, Eret was voiced by Kit Harington and functions as a dragon hunter who initially aids the antagonist Drago. Casting Dunster signals the filmmakers’ intent to keep Eret’s morally gray, hunt-or-rescue complexity intact while translating that arc to live action. For audiences who remember Eret’s evolution across the trilogy, this suggests continuity and a richer villain-support dynamic.
Beyond casting, Dunster’s inclusion is notable for cross-genre appeal: Ted Lasso’s fans are a vocal, engaged community, and his casting may broaden the live-action film’s audience. It’s also a smart studio move—leveraging a known face from a beloved TV series to drive buzz and help justify heightened box-office expectations after the success of the first live-action installment.
Context: Franchise Expectations and Industry Trends
The first live-action How to Train Your Dragon (2025) earned a healthy $636.6 million worldwide, setting a high bar for this sequel. Audiences are increasingly receptive to live-action remakes and continuations of animated hits, but they also expect fidelity to tone, compelling VFX, and strong casting. Dean DeBlois, returning as director and writer, has the advantage of guiding an adaptation that aims to balance nostalgia with the spectacle modern viewers demand.
Comparatively, recent live-action adaptations like The Lion King and Aladdin showed how faithful casting and visual ambition can polarize critics while filling seats. How to Train Your Dragon 2 will likely be judged both on emotional continuity with the original trilogy and its technical achievements in bringing dragons and Viking landscapes to life.
Behind the Scenes and Fan Reaction
Fans have been dissecting every casting reveal on social platforms, with many praising Dunster’s range—from brash charm in Ted Lasso to the potential for a darker, more conflicted Eret. Dean DeBlois’s Instagram announcement sparked excitement and speculation about tone, pacing, and how closely the sequel will follow the animated narrative.
Cinema historian Marco Rinaldi offers a snapshot perspective: "Bringing a TV star into a major fantasy franchise is a familiar, often successful gambit. Dunster’s casting signals a desire to merge charismatic star power with franchise loyalty—if the film balances spectacle and character, it could satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers."
Expect more casting updates and first-look images as production continues. With a strong returning cast, high box office precedent, and a director who knows the material intimately, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is shaping up to be one of the year’s most watched fantasy adaptations.
In short: Phil Dunster’s entry as Eret is more than a cameo—it's a narrative bridge and a marketing signal. Keep an eye on trailers and behind-the-scenes glimpses; they’ll reveal how this adaptation balances the heart of the trilogy with the cinematic scale audiences now expect.
Comments
Tomas
Not convinced a TV star automatically fits the role, is Dunster even right for Eret? hope the film gives him layers, not just a cool look
atomwave
Wait Phil Dunster as Eret? wow didnt expect that. Ted Lasso fans will freak, but fingers crossed they keep Eret messy and human, not just slick CGI
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