After conquering hearts with its animated trilogy, How to Train Your Dragon is ready to fly higher — this time in live-action. fans old and new are buzzing about dragons, casting, and that mysterious june 2025 release. so what’s changed, what’s returning, and what surprises await in this reimagined berk? here’s your fire-breathing briefing:
Characters & cast
Mason Thames becomes Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, with Nico Parker as Astrid.The cast also features Gerard Butler (Stoick), Nick Frost (Gobber), Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, and Ruth Codd. By the way, the live-action adaptation marks the return of Butler as Stoick, reprising his voice role from the animated trilogy.
All the dragons
Toothless returns, sleeker and more real than ever. Trailers tease the Red Death and other dragon species, powered by a rich "expanded mythology." The film’s creature design draws from both the original movies and newly introduced dragons from later spin-offs.
Live-Action vs. Animation
Directed by Dean DeBlois, the live-action sticks closely to the 2010 film — but with weightier visuals and deeper realism thanks to cinematographer Bill Pope. Several sequences are directly recreated from the animated version, using real locations and CGI enhancements.
Book Connection & Viking Island Lore
Cressida Cowell’s books still inspire the franchise. Berk expands, both culturally and cinematically, in ways that hint at a larger, more diverse saga. The film retains key names and locations from the novels, while continuing to follow the narrative path of the animated films.
Release & Sequel
The film premieres June 13, 2025, with a sequel already greenlit for Summer 2027. The studio has confirmed that the sequel will continue Hiccup’s storyline, keeping the same director and core cast.
