This article is part ofScreenRant’s Exclusive 2025 Movie Preview. Keep an eye out for the full feature next week!
The highly anticipated live-action remake ofHow to Train Your Dragonhas unveiled a new image featuring Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Astrid (Nico Parker) in what appears to be a tense battle. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original animated trilogy based on Cressida Cowell’s novel, the upcoming fantasy film reimagines the beloved 2010 DreamWorks classic with an all-starHow to Train Your Dragoncast, including Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick the Vast. Set for release on August 05, 2025, this marks DreamWorks Animation’s first venture into live-action filmmaking.
ScreenRantshares a new image ofHow To Train Your DragonwhereHiccup and Astrid lie side by side as they look out from under a dusty wooden palette in a mix of fear and curiosity. Clad in Viking gear for what looks to be a tense dragon-fighting lesson, Hiccup grips a wooden shield while Astrid holds a battle-ready ax. This moment suggests a faithful yet reinvigorated adaptation of the animated film as a 15-year-old Hiccup struggles with what’s expected from him as a ruthless Viking before coming face-to-face with Toothless again. Check out the image below:
Vikings & Action Come Alive In How To Train Your Dragon
Hiccup & Astrid Bring Grit To A Stunning New Realm
DreamWork’s upcominglive-actionHow to Train Your Dragonremakeoffers the chance to experience the isle of Berk with Hiccup and Toothless through an unprecedented level of realism. As the trilogy’s Dean DeBlois returns to direct and write,the fantasy remake is set to retain the heart and humor that made the original animated film a cultural phenomenonin 2010, grossing over $500 million worldwide. From its heartwarmingly familiar dragons to sweeping natural landscapes, the film leverages cutting-edge visual effects and on-location filming in Northern Ireland to recreate the rugged beauty of the Viking village.
Whether hiding from danger or standing together in the face of adversity, Hiccup and Astrid’s bond seems to remain at the heart of the story.
The new image highlights the rough beginnings of Hiccup and Astrid’s relationship,two central figures whose evolving relationship—from crushing teens to partners-in-sky and eventual romance—lies at the franchise’s core. Thames (Black Phone) and Parker’s (The Last of Us) chemistry shines through the grit of the arena as they prepare themselves to meet another fire-breathing creature amid Berk’s ongoing war with the dragons.
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The live-action production alsobenefits from the return of composer John Powell, whose acclaimed scores for the animated films added a sense of grandeur and emotional resonance to Hiccup’s journey. By combining Powell’s musical ingenuity with richly detailed visuals, and DeBlois' enduring vision, the live-actionHow To Train Your Dragonis positioned to lovingly expand on the original’s epic legacy.
A Modern Take On A Timeless Tale
DreamWork’s Fantasy Dragon Saga Soars Again
Since its debut in 2010,How to Train Your Dragonhas quietly grown into a powerhouse franchise with a beloved trilogy, unique spinoff shows (Riders Of Berk,Dragons: The Nine Realms), and festive holiday specials. Now, DreamWork’s live-action remake appears poised to revisit the origins of its acclaimed legacy in an exciting new way.
Whether hiding from danger or standing together in the face of adversity,Hiccup and Astrid’s bond seems to remain at the heart of the story. With its release just a few months away, the excitement for the live-actionHow to Train Your Dragoncontinues to grow as it aims to breathe new life into this cherished tale of friendship, bravery, and the enduring magic of dragons.
How to Train Your Dragon
Cast
How to Train Your Dragon, released in 2025, depicts the story of Hiccup, a young Viking who defies tradition on the isle of Berk by befriending Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their friendship uncovers the true nature of dragons, challenging entrenched Viking perceptions and societal norms.
