The Black Phone Star Mason Thames Cast as Hiccup in ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Live Action Remake
Universal Studios has announced exciting news regarding the upcoming live-action adaptation of DreamWorks Animation’s beloved film series, How to Train Your Dragon.
Based on the popular books by Cressida Cowell, How to Train Your Dragon explores the heartwarming bond between a young Viking boy named Hiccup and Toothless, an injured dragon he rescues and cares for. The animated trilogy followed Hiccup and Toothless on their journey to challenge society’s prejudice against dragons, cope with the loss of a parent, and experience first love. In the original films, Jay Baruchel provided the voice for Hiccup, while America Ferrera voiced the character of Astrid.
Finding the right actors for the live-action counterparts was a meticulous process that spanned several months. The search aimed to discover performers who could not only portray the characters effectively but also grow alongside them throughout the franchise. A unique aspect of the films was their ability to depict the protagonists’ progression in age, highlighting significant life events and offering a genuine “coming-of-age” narrative.
Read More: New How To Train Your Dragon Spinoff Series Announced By DreamWorks Animation
Who is Cast as Hiccup in How To Train Your Dragon Live-Action Remake?
Universal Studios has made their decision on the actors set to portray the beloved characters of Hiccup and Astrid in the upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. Mason Thames, known for his role in The Black Phone, and Nico Parker, the breakout star of The Last of Us, have been chosen for these lead roles.
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Mason Thames will showcase his acting versatility as he interacts with a CGI Toothless dragon for a significant portion of the film. If the live-action adaptation follows the path of the original DreamWorks animation, Thames will also delve into sensitive subjects. In the story, Hiccup is the son of a formidable Viking, but he is hesitant to follow in his father’s footsteps as a dragon slayer.
His journey becomes even more challenging when he develops a friendship with a dragon believed to be the most dangerous creature of all. Thames gained recognition for his performance in Universal’s The Black Phone alongside Ethan Hawke, and he has recently taken on the lead role in the Artists Road/Spyglass feature Incoming. Directed by Dave and John Chernin, this comedy follows four incoming freshmen navigating the challenges of adolescence at their first high school party. Thames will also star opposite Mel Gibson in Boys of Summer. He is represented by WME, Brillstein Entertainment, and Goodman Genow Schenkman.
What Is How To Train Your Dragon Based On?
The captivating film series, How to Train Your Dragon, draws its inspiration from an enthralling novel series authored by Cressida Cowell. Praised for its exploration of darker themes and heightened stakes for the main characters, the animated films gained immense popularity and widespread acclaim.
Building on this success, several animated series were created, with the latest installment titled Dragons: The Nine Realms. The original animated movie featured the talented voices of Jay Baruchel (known for FUBAR) as Hiccup and America Ferrera (famous for Superstore) as Astrid.
Also Read: Netflix Announces New Original Collections, Including How To Train Your Dragon Offshoot
Excitement surrounds the upcoming release of How to Train Your Dragon, which is currently scheduled to hit theaters on March 14, 2025.
Source: ComingSoon
