Gerard Butler’s connection to the beloved franchise deepened with a poignant gesture as the latest How to Train Your Dragon film features a moving tribute to his late mother, highlighting the actor’s personal bond with the story. The Gerard Butler How to Train Your Dragon tribute to late mom appears at the close of the film, giving fans a heartfelt moment and showcasing Butler’s emotional journey surrounding the release.
End Credits Dedication to Margaret Coll
Faithful viewers who linger until the credits roll on the new How to Train Your Dragon film are met with a simple but powerful note:
Dedicated to the loving memory of Margaret Coll.
—
Margaret Coll, Butler’s mother, died at the age of 81 this February. The actor, originally from Scotland, has voiced Viking Chief Stoick in the original animated movies, and now steps into the live-action remake, continuing his connection to the saga.
Butler Shares the Story Behind the Tribute
In a candid interview with the UK’s Magic Radio, Butler explained the personal meaning behind the film’s dedication, acknowledging writer-director Dean DeBlois for making the gesture special:
I was so excited for her to see it, but I had a feeling she wasn’t going to make it. So Dean very kindly dedicated the movie to her,
— Gerard Butler, Actor
Discussing his late mother, Butler drew a parallel between her personality and the film’s Viking world:
If Stoick had a mum, that would have been my mum,
— Gerard Butler, Actor
She was an amazing woman, but she was strong, she was fiery, and she was graceful, and she was beautiful.
— Gerard Butler, Actor
Butler’s deep admiration for Margaret Coll resonates throughout his recollections, underscoring the impact she had on his life as both a person and an actor.
Parallels Between On-Screen Story and Real Life
How to Train Your Dragon, in both its original 2010 animated hit and the new adaptation, features Hiccup—a teenage outcast who, defying the expectations of everyone on the isle of Berk, forges a friendship with Toothless the dragon and ultimately transforms the relationship between humans and dragons. Mason Thames takes the role of Hiccup in this version, with notable co-stars including Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, and Peter Serafinowicz.
Butler revealed why the film’s message is personally meaningful by reflecting on his own upbringing. Although Chief Stoick struggles to accept his son’s unconventional interests, Butler experienced a much more supportive mother:
She wrote me the most beautiful letter, and she said, ‘Look son, end of the day, I want you to be happy, and I love you no matter what. And if this is what you want to do —’
— Gerard Butler, Actor
He recounted that Margaret Coll always knew about his dreams, fostering his love for acting since he was a child. Butler said his real-life experience stood in contrast to his character’s movie journey:
It’s this movie — it really is,
— Gerard Butler, Actor
But it’s the opposite, because I was doing something that I never really loved [before acting], never cared about, that didn’t show any of my uniqueness, and anyway to be honest, I felt that something else was going on, and she embraced that.
— Gerard Butler, Actor
Director Dean DeBlois’ Perspective
Writer-director Dean DeBlois, who worked closely with Butler, explained to The Hollywood Reporter why the film’s dedication was important for everyone involved:
I knew that the loss of his mother was a deeply felt wound and that he was having a tough time recovering from it,
— Dean DeBlois, Writer-Director
So to honor her with a dedication in the credits just seemed like the right thing to do in that moment.
— Dean DeBlois, Writer-Director
DeBlois’ thoughtful gesture added an emotional layer to the release for both Butler and fans, further entwining real-life grief and cinematic storytelling.
The Film’s Release and Emotional Resonance
How to Train Your Dragon, distributed by Universal Pictures, opens in theaters on Friday. The cast—including Julian Dennison, Nico Parker, and Gabriel Howell—adds to the film’s star power, while Butler’s tribute ensures that the memory of Margaret Coll endures onscreen. This blend of personal history and fantasy adventure enriches the franchise, leaving a lasting impression for audiences who connect with its universal themes of love, loss, and the courage to follow one’s own path.
