How to Train Your Dragon 2 Live-Action: Phil Dunster Cast as Eret, Filming Begins, and Release Date Revealed

Phil Dunster is officially joining the world of dragons. He has been cast in Universal Pictures’ upcoming live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2, stepping into the role of Eret, a key character from the 2014 animated sequel.

In the original film, Eret is introduced as a loud, confident, and self-proclaimed “finest dragon trapper alive,” initially working for the villain before becoming an important ally. The character was previously voiced by Kit Harington in the animated version, and now Dunster will bring Eret to life in the live-action adaptation.

Dunster joins a returning and already stacked cast led by Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid. Other confirmed cast members include Gerard Butler as Stoick, Nick Frost as Gobber, Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Bronwyn James as Ruffnut, Gabriel Howell as Snotlout, and Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut. Cate Blanchett, who voiced Valka in the animated films, will reprise her role as Hiccup’s mother in live action, while Ólafur Darri Ólafsson will play the main antagonist, Drago Bludvist.

The sequel is being written and directed by Dean DeBlois, who also co-created the original animated franchise and helmed the first live-action film released in 2025. DeBlois recently confirmed that filming on How to Train Your Dragon 2 has officially begun, making Dunster’s casting one of the first major updates since production started.

The story picks up with Hiccup continuing his journey as a Viking who believes in peaceful coexistence with dragons. The sequel introduces major emotional stakes, including the return of his long-lost mother, Valka, and the looming threat of Drago, a warlord determined to conquer the world using a massive dragon army. Eret plays a crucial role in this conflict, making Dunster’s character central not just to this film, but potentially to future installments as well.

That future looks promising. In the animated franchise, Eret remains important in the third film, The Hidden World, which suggests Dunster could become a recurring presence in the live-action series as well.

Expectations for the sequel are already high. The first live-action How to Train Your Dragon, released in 2025, was a major commercial success, earning over $636 million worldwide. The animated How to Train Your Dragon 2 is also widely considered the strongest entry in the trilogy, raising hopes that the live-action version can match or even surpass that reputation. Universal has locked in a June 11, 2027 theatrical release date.

Behind the scenes, the film is being produced by Marc Platt through Marc Platt Productions, alongside Adam Siegel, with Platt also serving as executive producer.

For Dunster, this role adds to a rapidly expanding career. He is best known for his Emmy-nominated performance as the arrogant footballer Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso. Interestingly, his casting in How to Train Your Dragon 2 was revealed on the same day new details about Ted Lasso season four were announced. Due to scheduling conflicts with multiple projects — including the upcoming HBO comedy series Rooster starring Steve Carell — Dunster is reportedly unlikely to reprise his role as Jamie in any meaningful way.

With filming underway and a proven creative team returning, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is shaping up to be one of Universal’s biggest fantasy releases in the coming years — and Phil Dunster’s Eret may end up being one of its most memorable new additions.