The rugged cliffs of Berk and the fiery breath of dragons are soaring into reality with Universal Pictures’ live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, set to hit theaters on June 13, 2025. A recent behind-the-scenes featurette offers fans a thrilling glimpse into the practical sets, intense fight sequences, and the heartfelt vision driving this ambitious remake. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the beloved animated trilogy, the film blends tangible craftsmanship with cutting-edge visual effects to reimagine the Viking world. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes this production a fiery spectacle, from its practical sets to its passionate cast.
Crafting the World of Berk
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon isn’t just relying on green screens to conjure its fantastical island. The production team has gone all-in on practical sets to ground the story in a tactile, lived-in reality.
- Immersive Village Sets: The featurette showcases the village of Berk, built as a sprawling physical set complete with weathered wooden structures and rocky cliffs. Director Dean DeBlois emphasized the importance of a “real” Berk to make the Viking world feel authentic, noting that the sets help actors fully inhabit their roles.
- Dragon Training Arena: A standout location is the dragon-fighter training arena, where young Vikings hone their skills against captive dragons. This massive set, filled with mazes and rugged terrain, serves as a stage for dynamic combat scenes that blend practical stunts with CGI dragons.
- Seabound Backdrops: Filming in Belfast, the production leverages natural coastal landscapes to capture Berk’s windswept, rugged beauty. These real-world locations enhance the film’s epic scope, making every flight sequence feel visceral.
| Set Element | Purpose in Film | Production Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Village of Berk | Central hub for Viking life and story | Built with real wood and stone for authenticity, designed to withstand weather |
| Training Arena | Showcases Viking combat and dragon encounters | Combines practical structures with VFX to create intense, believable fight sequences |
| Coastal Cliffs | Backdrop for flight and emotional scenes | Filmed on location to capture natural beauty, enhanced with minimal CGI |
The Cast: Bringing Vikings to Life
The featurette introduces the young ensemble tasked with embodying Berk’s dragon-slaying trainees, led by Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid. Their chemistry and commitment shine through, even in raw behind-the-scenes footage.
- Mason Thames as Hiccup: Thames channels Hiccup’s inventive spirit and underdog charm, navigating practical sets and CGI stand-ins to build a believable bond with Toothless. DeBlois praised Thames for capturing the character’s heart while adding a fresh spin.
- Nico Parker as Astrid: Parker’s Astrid is fierce and ambitious, with DeBlois noting her ability to expand the character beyond the animated version’s “thin” portrayal. Her dynamic with Thames promises a compelling on-screen partnership.
- Supporting Vikings: The dragon-fighting class includes Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Gabriel Howell as Snotlout, Bronwyn James as Ruffnut, and Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut. Each actor brings distinct energy to their role, with costumes designed to echo the animated designs while adding realistic textures.
| Character | Actor | Animated Inspiration | Live-Action Twist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiccup | Mason Thames | Scrawny, inventive Viking with a big heart | Emphasizes emotional depth and practical stunts |
| Astrid | Nico Parker | Fierce, loyal warrior with a sharp edge | Expands her backstory, showcases physicality |
| Fishlegs | Julian Dennison | Knowledgeable, cautious dragon enthusiast | Adds humor and relatability to the group dynamic |
Practical Fights and Dragon Magic
The live-action adaptation doesn’t shy away from the franchise’s hallmark action. The featurette highlights how the team balances practical stunts with CGI to create thrilling dragon battles that feel both grounded and fantastical.
- Choreographed Combat: The training arena scenes feature choreographed fights where young Vikings wield weapons against mock dragon threats. These sequences use practical props and stunt performers to ensure every swing and dodge feels real.
- Toothless in Live-Action: While Toothless is a CGI creation, the team used practical stand-ins on set to help actors like Thames react naturally. The featurette teases Toothless’ expressive design, with textured scales and cat-like eyes that retain his animated charm while looking photorealistic.
- VFX Challenges: DeBlois noted the difficulty of translating the animated dragons’ exaggerated designs into live-action without losing their personality. The solution? Subtle tweaks, like adding layered textures to Toothless’ skin, ensure the dragons fit seamlessly into the real world.
| Action Element | Execution Method | Impact on Film |
|---|---|---|
| Arena Fights | Practical stunts, choreographed moves | Creates intense, believable Viking combat |
| Toothless Interactions | CGI with practical stand-ins | Builds authentic Hiccup-Toothless bond |
| Dragon Designs | CGI with textured, realistic details | Maintains animated charm in a photorealistic world |
Why This Remake Matters
Despite some fan skepticism about the need for a live-action How to Train Your Dragon, the featurette underlines DeBlois’ passion for the project. He views it as a chance to honor the original while exploring new storytelling possibilities.
- A Labor of Love: DeBlois, who directed all three animated films, brings a deep respect for the source material. He aims to preserve the story’s core—Hiccup and Toothless’ friendship—while enhancing it with live-action’s emotional weight.
- Expanding the Story: The remake fleshes out characters like Astrid and the supporting Vikings, giving them richer arcs. Practical sets and real-world locations also add a grittier, more immersive feel to the narrative.
- Visual Spectacle: The combination of practical sets, on-location shooting, and advanced VFX promises a cinematic experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Early reactions from cast members like Gerard Butler, who reprises his role as Stoick, suggest the film captures the magic of the original.
Fans Mixed Reactions
There have been many remakes of animated films and it would seem many fans would agree they have been bad for the majority of releases. Usually coming down to a couple key reasons, how well the original story was followed, or no reason to remake at all since the original was done so well. Well, with The How To Train Your Dragon remake it seems many are upset about how accurately they are following the original animated script. “Too Accurate” is what many fans are saying since it will basically be watching the same thing with cgi thrown in. On the other hand there are those who would get upset about them steering away from the original script. It can definitely be a lose lose situation at times. However, we think things will play out amazing for this remake.
Final Thoughts
The behind-the-scenes featurette for How to Train Your Dragon reveals a production fueled by creativity and care. From the meticulously crafted sets of Berk to the passionate performances of its young cast, the film is shaping up to be a worthy successor to the animated classic. By blending practical effects with cutting-edge CGI, Dean DeBlois and his team are forging a new path for Hiccup and Toothless—one that promises to soar as high as a Night Fury in flight. Mark your calendars for June 13, 2025, and prepare to return to Berk in a whole new way.
