The live-action adaptation of DreamWorks’ beloved animated franchise, How to Train Your Dragon, is one of the most anticipated films of the decade, and as of December 15, 2025, the full cast has been officially confirmed, generating immense excitement among fans. This new cinematic venture promises to bring the epic scale and heartfelt story of Hiccup and Toothless to life in a way audiences have never seen, with a carefully selected ensemble of established stars and rising young talent.
The film, directed and written by the original trilogy's mastermind, Dean DeBlois, is set to hit theaters in mid-2025, marking a significant milestone for Universal Pictures. The casting choices have been particularly scrutinized, as they must capture the essence of the iconic characters from the Viking village of Berk, and the final list reveals a mix of fresh faces embodying the young dragon riders and a powerful return from an animated veteran.
Meet the New Vikings of Berk: Star-Studded Cast Profiles
The core of How to Train Your Dragon revolves around the unlikely friendship between a scrawny Viking teenager and a magnificent dragon. The casting for these pivotal roles, along with the formidable Stoick the Vast, forms the foundation of the live-action world. Here is a detailed look at the actors leading the charge for the June 2025 release.
Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
- Role: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the clumsy yet inventive son of the village chief, Stoick the Vast, who forms an unbreakable bond with the dragon, Toothless.
- Nationality: American.
- Career Highlights: Thames is a rapidly rising star, best known for his critically acclaimed lead role as Finney Shaw in the terrifying 2021 horror film, The Black Phone. He also appeared as Danny Stevens in the Apple TV+ sci-fi series For All Mankind, showcasing his range across different genres. His casting as Hiccup was one of the most significant announcements, signaling a commitment to finding a young actor who could convey both vulnerability and quiet strength.
- Significance: Following the success of The Black Phone 2, Thames is poised to become a major Hollywood lead, with the How to Train Your Dragon film likely serving as his biggest blockbuster role yet.
Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson
- Role: Astrid Hofferson, the fiercest and most competitive of the young Viking warriors, whose initial skepticism of dragons gives way to becoming Hiccup's loyal partner and dragon-riding ace.
- Nationality: British.
- Career Highlights: Parker has a strong acting pedigree as the daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and filmmaker Ol Parker. She made her film debut in the 2019 live-action adaptation of Dumbo. However, her breakout performance came in 2023 as Sarah Miller, the daughter of Joel in the acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us, a role that earned her widespread praise for its emotional depth.
- Significance: Parker brings a blend of established dramatic skill and experience in high-profile adaptations, making her an ideal choice to portray Astrid's complex mix of toughness and compassion.
Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast
- Role: Stoick the Vast, the powerful and traditional chief of Berk and Hiccup’s father, who is fiercely devoted to protecting his village from dragons.
- Nationality: Scottish.
- Career Highlights: Butler is a globally recognized action star, famous for headlining the Has Fallen action series as Mike Banning, including Olympus Has Fallen and Angel Has Fallen. His recent work includes the action thriller Kandahar (2023) and the disaster film Greenland (2020).
- Significance: In a rare move for a live-action remake, Gerard Butler is reprising his role from the original animated trilogy, where he voiced Stoick the Vast. This casting decision was a huge win for the production, providing a crucial link to the original films and a familiar, authoritative voice for the character.
The Dragon Riders and the Elders: Completing the Village of Berk
The success of the animated franchise was not only due to Hiccup and Toothless but also the dynamic and humorous group of supporting characters, particularly the other young dragon riders and the village elders. The live-action film has filled these roles with a diverse and talented group of actors, ensuring the comedic and adventurous spirit of the original remains intact.
The New Generation of Dragon Riders
The iconic group of young Vikings who eventually become Hiccup’s allies and fellow dragon riders—the "Dragon Riders"—will be portrayed by a highly promising ensemble:
- Gabriel Howell as Snotlout Jorgenson: Howell, known for the series The Pembrokeshire Murders, will play the boastful, arrogant, and often dim-witted cousin of Hiccup.
- Julian Dennison as Fishlegs Ingerman: Dennison is a New Zealand actor who gained international recognition for his roles in Hunt for the Wilderpeople and the superhero blockbuster Deadpool 2. He is perfectly cast as the large, nervous, yet incredibly knowledgeable Fishlegs.
- Bronwyn James as Ruffnut Thorston: James, known for her roles in Harlots and The Outlaws, will portray one half of the chaotic, inseparable Thorston twins.
- Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut Thorston: Trevaldwyn, an actor and comedian, will complete the duo as the other half of the mischievous and often destructive twins.
The casting of these young actors demonstrates the film’s intention to maintain the core group dynamic that made the animated series so successful, focusing on the blend of action, comedy, and coming-of-age themes. Their on-screen chemistry will be vital to the film’s tone.
Key Supporting Village Elders
Beyond Stoick, two other key adult figures anchor the village of Berk, providing guidance (or sometimes, misguided advice) to the young Vikings:
- Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch: The casting of the beloved British comedian Nick Frost is a major highlight. Frost, famous for his collaborations with Simon Pegg in the "Cornetto Trilogy" (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World's End), will take on the role of Gobber, Stoick's best friend, the village blacksmith, and the often-sarcastic mentor to Hiccup. His comedic timing is expected to be a perfect fit for the one-legged, one-handed Viking.
- Peter Serafinowicz as Spitelout Jorgenson: Serafinowicz, known for his voice work as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and his role as The Tick in the Amazon Prime series, will play Snotlout’s overly competitive father, Spitelout.
The inclusion of established comedic actors like Nick Frost and Peter Serafinowicz ensures that the film will retain the quick-witted humor that was a hallmark of the original DreamWorks trilogy. Their presence adds significant topical authority and star power to the supporting ensemble.
Production Status and Release Date: What to Expect Next
The journey to the big screen for the live-action How to Train Your Dragon has been closely watched, with fans eager for updates on the production timeline and the highly anticipated release. The film is directed by Dean DeBlois, who helmed all three animated films, a factor that has reassured many fans about the remake's faithfulness to the source material.
A Delayed but Confirmed Summer Blockbuster
The film was initially slated for a March 14, 2025, release, but production faced delays due to the major Hollywood strikes. Specifically, the SAG-AFTRA strike impacted the filming schedule, pushing the date back. The new, confirmed release date is now June 13, 2025, positioning the film as a major summer blockbuster for Universal Pictures.
The Challenge of Bringing Toothless to Life
While the human cast is locked in, the most crucial "cast member" remains the dragon, Toothless. The success of the film hinges on the photo-realistic portrayal of the Night Fury and the believability of his relationship with Mason Thames' Hiccup. Director Dean DeBlois has been vocal about his commitment to using cutting-edge visual effects to make the dragons feel tangible and emotionally resonant, a monumental task that will define the live-action experience. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is the emotional core of the entire franchise, and the chemistry between Mason Thames and the CGI creation will be the ultimate test of the film's success.
With the full cast announced, including the return of Gerard Butler and the introduction of a talented new generation of actors, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is set to be a faithful yet fresh reimagining of the classic story. The anticipation for the June 13, 2025, release is building, and fans can expect a visually stunning and emotionally powerful adventure when the Vikings and dragons finally take flight together.
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