Casting Revealed for 2 Major Roles in the 'How to Train Your Dragon' Live-Action Remake

Hey there Universal fans! Have we got an update for you!

Things are looking up for Universal with all the exciting news that we’ve seen in the past months like their new theme park in Texas and with all the updates on EPIC Universe. Also, we had previously shared that they were in the process of creating a new live-action movie based on the How to Train Your Dragon series. Now it looks like Universal has found its human dragon riders!

The How to Train Your Dragon live-action movie has found its human riders (via The Hollywood Reporter)! They are Mason Thames and Nico Parker. They will take on the roles previously voiced by Jay Baruchel and America Ferrera, respectively.

Mason Thames, known for his role in Universal’s The Black Phone, and Nico Parker, last seen in HBO’s The Last of Us, are set to star as Hiccup and Astrid. Fifteen-year-old Mason Thames impressed audiences with his role in The Black Phone and has upcoming projects like Incoming and Boys of Summer. Nico Parker, who made her debut in Tim Burton’s Dumbo, has appeared in The Third Day and Reminiscence.

Dean DeBlois serves as both writer and director, while Marc Platt and Adam Siegel produce the project. Lexi Barta, VP of production development at Universal, oversees the film.

As a quick recap on the story, the movies were based on Cressida Cowell’s books, and explores the special bond between Hiccup, a young Viking boy, and Toothless, an injured dragon he befriends. The animated movies tackle themes of prejudice, loss, and first love.

Universal has dated the movie for a March 14th, 2025 release, which lines up nicely with Epic Universe, their new theme park in Orlando, scheduled to open in Summer 2025.