"How to Train Your Dragon" Live-Action Adaptation Finds Its Hiccup and Astrid

A live-action re-imagining of DreamWorks Animation's epic franchise "How To Train Your Dragon" has officially found its lead. 

Universal has tapped The Black Phone's Mason Thames and The Last of Us breakout star Nico Parker to play Hiccup and Astrid.

Thames is also known for starring in "Walker" and "For All Mankind". Parker portrayed Sarah Miller in the premiere episode of HBO's "The Last of Us", and also had roles in "Dumbo" and "The Third Day". 

Dean DeBlois, who wrote and directed the animated trilogy — 2010’s “How to Train Your Dragon,” 2014’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2” and 2019’s “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” — is returning to write and direct the newest installment in the franchise.

The live-action reimagining will begin filming in Los Angeles on June 30. 

“How to Train Your Dragon” takes place in the mythical Viking village of Berk and follows a misfit teen named Hiccup who befriends an injured dragon he calls Toothless.

The fantasy series, backed by Universal and DreamWorks and based on the books by Cressida Cowell, has generated more than $1.6 billion worldwide.

The journeys have taken the franchise beyond the big screen. It had spawning three TV series: “DreamWorks Dragons” (2012), “Dragons: Rescue Riders” (2019), and “DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms” (2021) as well as theme park rides and the live show, “How to Train Your Dragon on Ice”.

In addition to writing and directing, DeBlois will also serve as a producer.

Marc Platt, a best picture nominee for “La La Land,” “Bridge of Spies” and “Trial Of The Chicago 7”, will also produce the movie via his Universal-based company Marc Platt Productions alongside Adam Siegel, president of Marc Platt Productions.

Universal’s VP of production development Lexi Barta will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

The adaptation is slated to release on March 14, 2025.