'You have to do your own thing' - Nick Frost on becoming Hagrid

Nick Frost has said you need to "do your own thing" when taking on a much-loved role and not worry too much what people think.

The actor, who has just been cast as Hagrid in the new Harry Potter series, was speaking to Newsround about his latest role as Gobber, the blacksmith in How to Train Your Dragon.

Both projects have previously been made into films, so how does it feel taking on a role which another actor has played?

'Be respectful' of their work

Robbie Coltrane played Hagrid in the original Harry Potter films

Nick Frost is very familiar with the work of the actors who played Gobber and Hagrid before him.

In the animated version of How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Gobber the Belch is voiced by Craig Ferguson.

While Hagrid in the Harry Potter films was played by Robbie Coltrane "so amazingly".

Nick says you have to be "respectful" of what they have done before, but also "try and forget it...and do your own thing".

As both Harry Potter and How to Train your Dragon are already based on a hugely popular books, any casting is going to create conversation amongst fans.

Nick told Newsround you can't worry too much about what people think.

"I think just try and enjoy it as much as you can and bring something new to the part," he said.

You would think if you were the actor who played the character in the original film it would be different.

But Nick Frost's co-star in How to Train Your Dragon, Gerard Butler, says there is still pressure.

The actor played Stoick, Hiccup's dad in the 2010 animation and was cast again as the viking for the live-action film.

He told Newsround there is pressure to try harder.

He says cast and crew wanted to make the live-action version "so special" that "those people who loved the animated movies would then say 'oh now I get it'".

Nick Frost plays Gobber, the blacksmith in How to Train Your Dragon

Fans can see Nick as Gobber in How to Train Your Dragon in cinemas now, but will have to wait until 2026 or 2027 before HBO Max's Harry Potter series is released.

But perhaps Nick himself gave us a clue as to what his Hagrid will be like.

Newsround presspacker Devon wanted to know how the actor makes the characters he plays so funny.

The answer? He tries not to be funny.

"Never try and be funny. Always try and be serious and I think that way people believe it a bit more."