The official teaser trailer for the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon has arrived, giving us our first glimpse at the reimagined take on the beloved DreamWorks Animation franchise. Fans will recognise several moments from the original, including the iconic first meeting between Hiccup and the Night Fury, Toothless. Take a look above.
The film reintroduces audiences to the Viking isle of Berk. The plot centres on Hiccup (Mason Thames, The Black Phone), the inventive yet underestimated son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his role from the animated films), and the bond he forges with a dragon. It’s a friendship that challenges centuries of enmity between Vikings and dragons, setting the stage for a story of friendship, courage, and breaking down prejudices.
If there are fans out there concerned about a live-action take (understandably so), perhaps there’s some confidence that can come with the fact that this is directed, written, and produced by three-time Oscar nominee Dean DeBlois (pictured on-set below) – who helmed the acclaimed animated trilogy. DeBlois also co-directed 2002 Disney animated film Lilo & Stitch.
The ensemble cast includes Nico Parker (The Last of Us) as Astrid, Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) as Gobber, Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2) as Fishlegs, Gabriel Howell (Bodies) as Snotlout, Bronwyn James (Wicked) as Ruffnut Thorston, and Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club) as Phlegma.
The CG-animated franchise, based on Cressida Cowell’s book series, was a hit with both critics and audiences. It also raked it in at the box office, the three movies grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide. Fingers crossed DeBlois’ live-action version delivers, or at least comes close to, the level of heart and adventure that’s made the franchise a success.
How to Train Your Dragon is scheduled to hit Australian cinemas on June 12th and U.S. cinemas on June 13th, 2025.
