5 days Ago By Natalie
share 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 The eagerly anticipated live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon is making waves with its first public glimpse of the Viking hero, Hiccup , as portrayed by Mason Thames of The Black Phone fame. Empire recently debuted this exclusive image, showcasing Hiccup clad in battle armour within a training arena, setting the stage for the new dynamic he shares with the dragon, Toothless. Directed, written, and produced by Dean DeBlois — who also helmed the original animated trilogy — the upcoming film stays true to the spirit of the original while introducing some unique twists and “dialled-up stakes”.
The image, taken from the scene where Hiccup tries to tame a dragon during his final exam, subtly shifts to show him pretending to fight Toothless, unable to bring himself to harm his friend. However, the new image has drawn some criticism for its aesthetic choices. Reflecting a trend seen in recent live-action remakes like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King , the colour palette appears desaturated, dominated by grays and browns.
Critics argue this could detract from the vibrant, colourful world that fans expect from How to Train Your Dragon . Advertisement ▼ Filming took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from January to May this year, with DeBlois promising photorealistic dragons that heighten the dramatic tension of the original story. The cast includes notable actors such as Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson , Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick the Vast , and Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch.
The film represents the fourth feature-length adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s beloved book series. The series previously inspired a trilogy of animated features by DreamWorks, which collectively grossed US$1.63 billion and garnered four Oscar nominations.
First look at the live-action How To Train Your Dragon movie pic.twitter.com/InJ7hXXwWB — Pubity (@pubity) November 15, 2024 Dean DeBlois has expressed excitement about the project, noting the enhanced realism and stakes of having a fully credible, photo-real dragon interact with live actors.
He praised Thames’ portrayal of Hiccup, emphasizing the actor’s ability to capture the character’s vulnerability and oddball charm — an essential aspect that resonates with fans and reflects the thematic core of the original series. As How to Train Your Dragon prepares for its theatrical debut, fans are eager to see how this beloved story translates into a live-action format. With its strong cast, experienced direction, and promising though controversial visual approach, the film aims to breathe new life into the saga of Hiccup and Toothless, exploring timeless themes of friendship and bravery in fresh, visually striking ways.
The How to Train Your Dragon live-action will soar into cinemas on 13 June 2025 . Natalie Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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