Ted Lasso may be returning for its fourth season in a matter of months, but one member of AFC Richmond is passing the time by booking a trip to the Isle of Berk. Per a new report, Phil Dunster, best known as the hotshot young striker Jamie Tartt, has been tapped to join the cast of DreamWorks‘ live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 remake. He’ll embody the self-proclaimed “finest dragon trapper alive,” Eret, a role previously voiced by Game of Thrones icon Kit Harrington in the original animated sequel. The latest addition to the blockbuster comes just days after returning writer, director, and executive producer Dean DeBlois officially confirmed that production was underway.
Dunster will take flight with returning cast members Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, and Harry Trevaldwyn in the much-anticipated 2027 follow-up. So far, How to Train Your Dragon 2 has also loaded up with plenty of extra star power, with Severance alum Ólafur Darri Ólafsson tapped to play the film’s main villain, Drago Bludvist, and, as Butler hoped, Cate Blanchett brought back to play Hiccup’s long-lost mother, Valka. Erek’s casting is another perfect fit, as he’s about as self-assured of his abilities as a dragon trapper as Jamie is of his skills as a football star. Initially, he works alongside Drago to round up and enslave all dragons, coming face-to-face with Hiccup and Astrid. Upon realizing just how ruthless his boss is, he does have a bit of a change of heart after his former foes save him from certain death at the ruthless chieftain’s hands.
Since Ted Lasso made its debut, Dunster has been synonymous with Jamie, becoming one of the breakout stars of the show with an Emmy nomination to his name. He’s since appeared in a host of series, including Prime Video‘s The Devil’s Hour and another Apple TV+ hit in Surface Season 2. His journey to Berk will be his biggest cinematic turn to date, though. Most recently, he was part of the supporting cast of the Prime Video rom-com film Picture This, starring Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. On the small screen, a reunion with Ted Lasso‘s Bill Lawrence is also in order, as, in addition to Season 2 this summer, he’s part of the cast of the creator’s next series, Rooster, at HBO, starring Steve Carell.
The ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Live-Action Remake Set the Bar High
Despite the less-than-stellar reputation around live-action remakes of animated hits and the immense pressure of adapting one of DreamWorks‘ most beloved films, the first How to Train Your Dragon soared last year with both critics and audiences. Moreover, it was a big success for the studio, raking in a staggering $636 million worldwide. Much of that can be credited to the return of DeBlois, who previously helmed the original beloved trilogy and has been dedicated to building on what he accomplished by using live-action to enhance the danger and majesty. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is arguably even better loved than the original, furthering Hiccup’s story five years later as he and his loyal pal Toothless fight to protect Berk from Drago and, in turn, learn a harsh lesson that, sometimes, diplomacy can’t solve everything. Given the foundation set by the first remake, though, confidence is high that DeBlois and company can make magic once more.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 is now in production. It’s slated to arrive in theaters on June 11, 2027.
via Collider