How to Train Your Dragon Live Action Cast – Full List and Sequel News

The live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon has arrived, bringing the beloved animated story to a new generation. Released on June 13, 2025, by Universal Pictures, this marks DreamWorks Animation’s first live-action remake. The film is directed by Dean DeBlois, who co-wrote and directed the original 2010 animated classic, with composer John Powell also returning to score the film.

The cast includes a mix of fresh faces and familiar voices. Mason Thames steps into the role of Hiccup, while Nico Parker plays Astrid. Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast from the animated trilogy, bridging the gap between the original films and this new live-action iteration. Filming took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the film has been met with generally positive reviews from critics.

With a worldwide box office gross of $636.4 million and a streaming release on July 15, 2025, the film has already proven to be a commercial success. A live-action sequel is also in development, set for release in 2027.

Who Is in the Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Cast?

Key Insights at a Glance

• Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick from the animated trilogy, offering direct continuity for longtime fans.
• Mason Thames and Nico Parker take on the lead roles of Hiccup and Astrid, two of the most iconic characters in modern animation.
• The supporting cast includes Nick Frost as Gobber, Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Gabriel Howell as Snotlout, Bronwyn James as Ruffnut, and Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut.
• Peter Serafinowicz also appears in an undisclosed role, adding to the film’s depth.
• The film grossed $636.4 million worldwide, making it the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2025.
• A live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon 2 was announced on April 2, 2025, at CinemaCon, with a scheduled release of June 11, 2027.
• Dean DeBlois returns to write and direct the sequel, with Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler all confirmed to reprise their roles.

Cast Fact Sheet

When Is the Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Releasing?

Theatrical Release Date

The live-action film was released in theaters on June 13, 2025, by Universal Pictures. This date is consistent across multiple authoritative sources, including the official DreamWorks website and the film’s Wikipedia entry.

Streaming Release

Following its theatrical run, the film became available for streaming on July 15, 2025. This dual release strategy allowed audiences to experience the film in theaters or at home.

Runtime and Format

The film runs for 2 hours and 5 minutes. It was shot in live-action with visual effects to bring the dragons and the world of Berk to life. Dean DeBlois returned to write and direct, while John Powell composed the score, just as he did for the original animated trilogy.

How Does the Live-Action Cast Compare to the Original Animated Film?

Hiccup and Astrid: New Faces for Iconic Roles

In the original 2010 animated film, Hiccup was voiced by Jay Baruchel and Astrid by America Ferrera. For the live-action version, Mason Thames and Nico Parker take on the roles. Thames is known for The Black Phone (2022) and Incoming (2024), while Parker gained recognition from HBO’s The Last of Us. Both actors bring a fresh interpretation to the characters while staying true to the original spirit of the story.

Stoick: The Voice of Continuity

Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, having voiced the character in all three animated films. His return provides a direct link between the animated and live-action worlds, offering continuity for fans. Butler’s involvement was revealed on January 5, 2024, and he filmed scenes in Belfast alongside the rest of the cast.

Supporting Characters: A Fresh Generation

The supporting cast sees a complete refresh. Nick Frost takes over from Craig Ferguson as Gobber, Julian Dennison steps into the role of Fishlegs (originally played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse), and Gabriel Howell plays Snotlout (originally Jonah Hill). Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn play Ruffnut and Tuffnut, respectively, roles originally voiced by Kristen Wiig and T.J. Miller. The casting decisions blend established comedic actors with rising stars, a strategy that has been well received by critics.

What About Future Sequels Like How to Train Your Dragon 4 and 5?

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Live-Action (2027)

On April 2, 2025, at CinemaCon, Universal Pictures announced that a live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon 2 is in development. The sequel is scheduled for release on June 11, 2027, with Dean DeBlois returning to write and direct. Filming is expected to begin on January 26, 2026, in London. The confirmed returning cast includes Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, and others. The sequel will include major scenes from the original 2014 animated film, notably Stoick’s iconic sacrifice sequence.

Will There Be a How to Train Your Dragon 4 or 5?

As of now, no official announcements have been made regarding a live-action How to Train Your Dragon 4 or How to Train Your Dragon 5. The animated trilogy concluded with How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World in 2019. While fan interest in further installments is evident from search data, Universal Pictures has not confirmed any projects beyond the 2027 sequel. The success of the 2025 film and its sequel will likely determine whether the studio expands the live-action series further.

What Is the Production Timeline for the Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon?

1. May 2023: Mason Thames and Nico Parker join the cast as Hiccup and Astrid.
2. January 5, 2024: Gerard Butler’s involvement as Stoick is revealed.
3. January 2024: Principal filming begins in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
4. May 2024: Filming wraps after approximately four months of production.
5. April 2, 2025: At CinemaCon, Universal announces a live-action sequel for How to Train Your Dragon 2, scheduled for June 11, 2027.
6. June 13, 2025: The live-action film is released in theaters worldwide.
7. July 15, 2025: The film becomes available for streaming.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About the Film?

Why Did Gerard Butler Return and Who Are the Newcomers?

Gerard Butler voiced Stoick the Vast in all three animated How to Train Your Dragon films, making him the only original voice actor to reprise his role in the live-action adaptation. His return offers continuity for audiences who grew up with the animated trilogy, while also lending credibility to the new project. Butler’s involvement was one of the earliest casting announcements, signaling the studio’s intent to honor the source material.

Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup, was relatively unknown before his breakout role in The Black Phone. Nico Parker, who plays Astrid, gained widespread attention for her role in HBO’s The Last of Us. Their casting reflects a strategy of pairing established talent with rising stars. Nick Frost, a longtime collaborator with director Dean DeBlois, brings his comedic sensibilities to the role of Gobber. The rest of the supporting cast—Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, and Harry Trevaldwyn—represents a diverse range of comedic and dramatic talent from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Fan reception on platforms like Reddit has been mixed but largely positive. Some fans expressed initial skepticism about Mason Thames taking on the role of Hiccup, but the film’s generally positive critical reception has helped allay those concerns.

What Are the Primary Sources for the Cast Information?

“Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the awkward 16-year-old son of Stoick the Vast.”

— Wikipedia (2025 film page)

“Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson, Hiccup’s love interest.”

— Wikipedia (2025 film page)

“Gerard Butler returns as Chief Stoick the Vast.”

— Netflix Tudum article

The cast list is also available on the film’s IMDB page, which provides a detailed roster of actors and their roles. The Wikipedia entry for the film offers a similarly comprehensive list with production context. The Netflix Tudum article and the Cineworld blog both provide additional background on casting announcements. The official DreamWorks page remains the primary source for studio-confirmed details. A Reddit discussion from April 2024 also collated early casting leaks, though it should be treated with less authority than official sources.

What Do We Know About the Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon?

The live-action How to Train Your Dragon was released on June 13, 2025, with a cast led by Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler. It received generally positive reviews and grossed over $636 million worldwide. A live-action sequel to How to Train Your Dragon 2 has been announced for June 11, 2027, with Dean DeBlois returning to direct. For a complete overview of the cast, see our How to Train Your Dragon live-action cast list.

Frequently Asked Questions