The anticipation is building for the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon, as Universal Pictures has released a teaser trailer that showcases the dynamic between Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless. This new film is set to hit theaters on June 13, 2025, and is presented as a shot-for-shot remake of the beloved 2010 animated classic from DreamWorks Animation.
Directed by Dean DeBlois, who has been closely associated with the franchise since its inception, the film stars Mason Thames in the role of Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid. The talented cast also includes Gerard Butler, returning as Stoick the Vast, along with Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, and several others.
The plot centers around Hiccup, a young Viking who embarks on a journey to hunt dragons but ultimately discovers a deep connection with a dragon named Toothless. A poignant moment in the trailer has Hiccup telling his father, “Dad, I can’t kill dragons,” to which Stoick responds with determination, “But you will.”
The legacy of How to Train Your Dragon has been significant, with the franchise receiving four Academy Award nominations and amassing over $1.6 billion in global box office sales. The animated original was followed by two successful sequels and has inspired various short films and television series, solidifying its place in popular culture.
Mason Thames, in addition to his role in this feature, is recognized for his performances in Universal’s horror film The Black Phone and the Netflix comedy Incoming. In the original animated films, Hiccup was voiced by Jay Baruchel.
As audiences look forward to a fresh interpretation of this classic tale, the commitment to honoring the source material while translating it into live-action sparks hope that new fans will be introduced to the enchanting world first imagined by Cressida Cowell. The combination of a talented cast and a passionate director paves the way for a cinematic experience that could resonate with both loyal fans and newcomers alike.