10 Shocking Character Evolutions And The New Live-Action Cast Of How To Train Your Dragon (2025)

The world of Berk is set for an epic, never-before-seen transformation. As of December 18, 2025, the most talked-about news in the fandom is the highly anticipated live-action remake of the 2010 animated classic, *How to Train Your Dragon*, scheduled for release in 2025. This new cinematic venture promises to revisit the beloved Viking-and-dragon saga, bringing the iconic characters and their emotional arcs to life with a fresh cast and stunning visuals, sparking intense curiosity about who will embody the legendary Dragon Riders and their families. This definitive guide explores the full roster of essential characters, from the awkward inventor to the fearsome Night Fury, detailing their established history and introducing the actors who will take on these monumental roles.

The enduring appeal of the *How to Train Your Dragon* franchise lies in its profound character development, moving beyond simple fantasy to explore themes of prejudice, maturity, and finding one's place. The core characters—Hiccup, Astrid, and their dragons—have captivated audiences across three major films, multiple television series, and short features. Now, with the live-action reboot casting announcements finalized, fans are eager to see how these legendary figures are reinterpreted for a new generation. This deep dive covers the complete character profiles, their narrative significance, and the actors stepping into the Viking boots for the 2025 film.

The New Faces of Berk: Live-Action Cast & Character Profiles (2025 Update)

The upcoming live-action adaptation is set to be a faithful retelling of the original 2010 film, which necessitates casting actors who can capture the youthful exuberance and deep emotional connection of the main characters. The confirmed cast, featuring a mix of established and rising stars, has generated significant buzz, ensuring the 2025 film is one of the year’s most anticipated releases.

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• Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (Played by Mason Thames): The protagonist, an undersized, intellectual, and clumsy Viking teenager who defies his tribe's dragon-slaying tradition. His journey from village disappointment to the greatest Dragon Rider and Chief of Berk is the heart of the saga. Mason Thames, known for his role in *The Black Phone*, steps into the role, tasked with capturing Hiccup's inventive spirit and compassionate nature.
• Astrid Hofferson (Played by Nico Parker): The fiercely competitive, intelligent, and initially skeptical Viking warrior who becomes Hiccup’s closest ally, eventual wife, and a formidable Dragon Rider. Nico Parker, from *The Last of Us*, will portray Astrid, embodying her strength and strategic mind.
• Stoick the Vast (Played by Gerard Butler): The Chief of the Hooligan tribe, Hiccup’s overbearing but ultimately loving father, and a legendary dragon slayer. In a nostalgic move, Gerard Butler, who voiced Stoick in the animated trilogy, returns to play the character in live-action, providing a powerful link to the original franchise.
• Gobber the Belch (Played by Nick Frost): The village blacksmith, Stoick’s best friend, and Hiccup’s mentor. Known for his dry wit and missing limbs, Gobber is the comedic and moral compass of Berk. Nick Frost, a veteran comedic actor, is set to bring his unique humor to the role.
• Snotlout Jorgenson (Played by Gabriel Howell): The cocky, arrogant, and often clumsy cousin of Hiccup, who is desperate to prove himself as a warrior. Gabriel Howell will take on the role of the self-proclaimed ladies' man and rival.
• Fishlegs Ingerman (Played by Julian Dennison): The large, gentle, and highly knowledgeable Viking who serves as the group's resident dragon expert, memorizing all the dragon classes and statistics. Julian Dennison, known for *Deadpool 2*, is cast as the lovable, fact-obsessed Fishlegs.
• Ruffnut Thorston (Played by Bronwyn James): One half of the bickering, chaotic, and destructive twin duo. Bronwyn James will portray the female twin.
• Tuffnut Thorston (Played by Henry Trevaldwyn): The male twin, equally reckless and prone to bizarre ideas as his sister. Henry Trevaldwyn is cast as Tuffnut, completing the comedic pair.

The Core Dragon Riders and Their Legendary Dragon Partners

The true magic of the franchise lies in the unbreakable bonds between the Viking teens and their dragons. These relationships are foundational to the story, representing a bridge between two warring species. The Dragon Riders are the heart of the Hooligan tribe's future, each with a unique personality mirrored by their dragon companion.

Hiccup & Toothless: The Night Fury and the Architect of Peace

The partnership between Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless, is the central pillar of the entire saga. Toothless is the last known Night Fury—the rarest and most feared dragon species. Their bond, forged on trust and mutual disability (Hiccup’s prosthetic leg and Toothless’s prosthetic tail fin), symbolizes the possibility of coexistence. Toothless is highly intelligent, playful, fiercely loyal, and capable of a unique plasma blast attack. Their relationship drives the narrative from the first film, leading to the end of the dragon-Viking war and the establishment of a new society on Berk.

Astrid & Stormfly: The Deadly Nadder and the Fierce Protector

Stormfly is a beautiful but lethal Deadly Nadder, known for its brilliant blue and yellow scales and venomous tail spikes. She is one of the fastest and most vain dragons, often preening and demanding respect. Stormfly's personality closely matches her rider, Astrid Hofferson: both are fierce, competitive, and incredibly loyal. Their partnership is crucial in the Dragon Riders’ missions, with Stormfly’s precision and speed often turning the tide of battle.

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The Other Iconic Dragon Rider Pairs

The supporting Dragon Riders and their companions provide both comic relief and essential support, each riding a dragon from a different class:

• Fishlegs Ingerman & Meatlug: Meatlug is a sweet, motherly, and highly durable Gronckle. She is a loyal, rock-eating dragon whose slow speed is compensated by her incredible resilience and ability to regurgitate lava blasts. Fishlegs treats her like a beloved pet, often spoiling her with new rock snacks.
• Snotlout Jorgenson & Hookfang: Hookfang is a stubborn, aggressive, and fiery Monstrous Nightmare. He and Snotlout have a volatile, love-hate relationship, often competing with each other. Hookfang’s signature ability is to spontaneously ignite his own body in flames, making him a formidable foe.
• Ruffnut & Tuffnut Thorston & Barf & Belch: The twins ride a two-headed Hideous Zippleback. Barf's head exhales flammable gas, and Belch's head ignites it with a spark, creating a massive explosion. The dragon's two distinct personalities perfectly complement the twins' chaotic, often contradictory, nature.

From Village Outcasts to War Heroes: The Evolution of the HTTYD Characters

The overarching theme of the *How to Train Your Dragon* franchise is radical change and growth. The characters begin as typical, insular Vikings but are forced to evolve dramatically in response to the discovery of the dragons' true nature. This massive shift in perspective is what gives the story its weight and depth.

The Legacy of the Haddock Family

The Haddock family arc is arguably the most compelling. Stoick the Vast, the traditional Viking chief, struggles to accept his son Hiccup’s revolutionary ideas. His eventual acceptance of Toothless and the dragons—a pivotal moment in *How to Train Your Dragon 2*—demonstrates a profound capacity for change. The introduction of Valka, Hiccup's long-lost mother and a lifelong dragon protector, further complicates and enriches the family dynamic, revealing that Hiccup's empathy for dragons was inherited. Her vast knowledge of dragon species, including her own dragon, Cloudjumper, adds significant lore to the world.

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The Enduring Power of Friendship and Maturity

The Dragon Riders' journey is one of collective maturity. They move from being competitive, bickering teenagers to becoming a unified team, the first line of defense for Berk, and eventually, leaders in their own right. The later films, particularly *The Hidden World*, explore their transition into adulthood, marriage, and taking on the responsibilities of leadership. The bittersweet ending, where Hiccup and Toothless part ways to ensure the safety of all dragons, solidifies their legacy as the architects of peace and the protectors of the Light Fury, Toothless's mate and the mother of their three Night Lights.

The live-action remake will challenge the new cast to honor this complex, decade-long character development while introducing the story to a new generation. With Gerard Butler’s return and a talented young cast, the 2025 film is set to reignite the passion for these legendary characters and their timeless quest for understanding and peace between Vikings and dragons.