Hollywood actor Gerard Butler said he felt like Belfast's "adopted son" while filming how to train dragons in Northern Ireland.

The first live-action remake of the popular animation trilogy was made in many places in early 2024.

Universal confirmed it will produce a sequel before it is released in cinemas on June 9.

Gerard Butler told BBC News Ni that he “can’t imagine” it was filmed anywhere outside Northern Ireland.

He plays the role of Viking leader Stoick in a story directed by Dean DeBlois, telling the conflict between the dragon and the Vikings in Burke's novel.

Burke's real life location in the movie is Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the North Antrim Coast and Torymore Forest in the County.

Speaking of his living in Belfast, Gerard Butler described the locals as “his people.”

He added: “Whether you are in Glasgow or in Belfast, there is no obvious difference.”

“I think they think I’m their son.

"Everyone will adopt you, that's great, I like being there."

The work took several months to shoot at Belfast Harbor Studios and Titanic Studios.

“These sets are the best builds ever,” he said.

“That’s the crew of Northern Ireland, they did a great job. It’s not easy.

“Because when you watch these animated movies, you say how you made it? How you’re going to achieve that.

“We did it.”

The Paisley-born Scottish actor said he loved shooting in Northern Ireland and was used to the cold temperatures - when he wasn't wearing huge costumes.

“I said it was cold, but I was cold when I wasn’t working. I was hot when I was working.

"Everyone else was cold, but I went on the seventh floor. That outfit was really heavy. I wore it for nine weeks.

“When I go all out, it’s 90 pounds.

“It’s intense, but it also means I can be completely into Stoke – I feel like when I step on that helmet, I wear that helmet and I’m like eight feet tall, like ‘I’m here, it’s hard not to notice’.”

Away from the scene, Butler caused a big sensation when he found it in Belfast and nearby towns.

He said it can be "a bit crazy" at times and fans are keen to say hello.

Once, he thought a bar was described as an "old man's bar" and was "cool" with him without fuss.

“I walked in and three different people recognized me.

“I’m saying hello to them.

“The whole bar started to walk our way, it was too late and everyone was drunk.

“These guys said to us, we’re going to help you, they pushed us back into the door – basically because it got so crazy there.

He added: "I've told my manager before that this is an old man's bar. They'll be cool...and then like OK, maybe not bad tonight, maybe not."

Speaking about the sequel to the film, he said he was “certainly going to happen in Northern Ireland”.

“I can’t imagine it happening anywhere else. I know our directors are there and love the crew and everyone loves it.

"People really work hard. It's a lot of work to make these movies. The movie is big. So the people there did a great job. He and the whole crew were on the moon. So I can't imagine it going anywhere else."

Meanwhile, Butler's Cassie Nick Frost announced his love for the city.

“It’s full of history, it’s beautiful, I have to see the cranes of H&W,” said Sean of the deceased.

"As an engineering fan, I love that they are right where we shoot. It's incredible. Love it."

As for returning to Northern Ireland to shoot the sequel, Frost admits he has another preference.

“I wish they could shoot in my home or in the garden if they could build a little bit somewhere near my home.”

He refers to the dragon type in the movie, adding: "I might fit in the horrible horror, but I can't fit in the anger of the night."

The young star of the film — Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup and Nico Parker who plays Astrid — said filming was a joy “regardless of that.”

"Northern Ireland will obviously be great because it's like a big party," Thames said.

“I think we’ll be back there anyway.”

The two described the shooting conditions as "freezing of the North Coast", but "glorious".

They admitted their love for Northern Ireland accents and revealed a case of food poisoning that suffered from the entire crew – that is, for Mason Thames, who said he escaped the bugs due to his first attempt at cold water swimming.

But given the temperature, he said it was an activity he wouldn't try again.