See the “How to Train Your Dragon” Live-Action Cast Side-by-Side with the Original Animated Characters
- - See the “How to Train Your Dragon” Live-Action Cast Side-by-Side with the Original Animated Characters
Jordana Comiter, Christopher RudolphFebruary 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM
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Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III in the live action 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Hiccup in the 2005 animated movie 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Universal Pictures ; Alamy
The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon hit theaters in June 2025 and was added to Netflix in February 2026
The adaptation stars Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid
The original animated film was released in March 2010
The How to Train Your Dragon characters soared to the big screen once again when the live-action remake hit theaters in 2025.
Following the first movie's release in 2010, How to Train Your Dragon spawned two sequels, along with multiple animated series, specials and a theme park. The DreamWorks trilogy, loosely inspired by Cressida Cowell’s novels, grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide.
Like the animated original, Universal's latest adaptation follows Hiccup, a young Viking who befriends a dragon named Toothless, defying tradition and changing the course of his village, the Isle of Berk.
The new version — which is also directed by Dean DeBlois, who directed the animated trilogy — features fresh leads, with Mason Thames starring as Hiccup and Nico Parker playing Astrid. Meanwhile, Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick, Hiccup’s father and chief of their tribe. As a longtime fan, Thames told ClutchPoints in August 2024 that playing Hiccup was both an honor and a challenge.
“It was a lot of pressure for me because I love Hiccup so much," the actor said. "And I know how many people love the movies, and I didn't want to let anybody down. I've worked as hard as I can to bring Hiccup to life."
From Hiccup to Astrid, here's a look at the cast of How to Train Your Dragon side-by-side with the animated characters they brought to life.
01 of 09
Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
Mason Thames in 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Hiccup in 2014's 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'
Universal Pictures; Dreamworks Animation/Mad Hatter/Kobal/Shutterstock (
Thames stars as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a teenage boy striving to meet his father’s high expectations of becoming a fearless dragon fighter. However, his loyalty and courage are put to the test when he forms an unlikely friendship with a dragon.
After the May 2023 announcement that he would take on the leading role, Thames shared the news in a since-deleted Instagram post, writing, “SO EXCITED!!!!”
Thames grew up watching the How to Train Your Dragon movies, making the live-action remake an even more meaningful experience.
"Those movies are so close to my heart and I wanted to honor them as best as I can," Thames told TooFab in August 2024 once filming had wrapped. "I'd be walking around sometimes and I started running like Hiccup, I started talking like Hiccup ... he hasn't really left me yet and I don't really want him to. He's a part of my heart and I love him."
Before being cast as Hiccup, Thames gained recognition with his breakout role in 2021's The Black Phone, followed by his starring turn in 2024's Incoming.
02 of 09
Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson
Nico Parker in 2025's 'How To Train Your Dragon' ; Astrid in 2010's 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Helen Sloan/Universal Pictures; Dreamworks Animation
Parker steps into the role of Astrid Hofferson, a fierce Viking warrior who becomes Hiccup's love interest.
In a February 2024 interview with The Movie Dweeb, she teased that audiences could look forward to an impressive first flight scene between Astrid and Hiccup as they fly on their dragons for the first time.
"Everything is being executed with incredible amounts of love and care, and I think it's going to be incredibly exciting," she said.
Parker first gained recognition with her breakout performance in another live-action adaptation, 2019's Dumbo. Her additional screen credits include roles in Max's The Last of Us and 2024's Suncoast.
03 of 09
Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast
Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast in the live action 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Stoick the Vast in the animated movie 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010).
Universal Pictures ; Dreamworks Animation/Kobal/Shutterstock
Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, Hiccup's father and the chief of the Hairy Hooligan tribe. As the strong-willed and tough leader of Berk, Stoick is deeply committed to protecting his people while grappling with his son’s unconventional approach to dragons.
Butler's previous performances as Stoick in the animated trilogy led to an Annie Award nomination in 2011. Filming the live-action, though, proved to have its own unique set of challenges.
In November 2024, he opened up to Collider about how his 90 lb. Stoick costume came in handy while filming in the thick of winter in Northern Ireland.
"I had seven layers, thick layers and a thick beard, and then I had a kind of bearskin or wolfskin over it," Butler said, adding that his sword, shield and helmet also contributed to the bulk. "I was, in the middle of the coldest day, soaking wet from sweat inside because it was like a furnace in there."
Outside of the franchise, Butler has starred in 2006's 300 and 2010's The Bounty Hunter.
04 of 09
Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch
Nick Frost in 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Gobber in 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Universal Pictures; DreamWork/Shutterstock
Nick Frost plays Gobber the Belch, Stoick's longtime friend who mentors Hiccup and his friends during their dragon training.
Following the release of the teaser trailer in November 2024, Frost wrote on Instagram, "I couldn’t be more excited about this. You’re going to LOVE IT!!!"
Prior to joining the franchise, Frost starred in 2004's Shaun of the Dead and 2013's The World's End. He also recently voiced the droid SM-33 in the 2024 Disney+ series, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
05 of 09
Julian Dennison as Fishlegs Ingerman
Julian Dennison in 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Fishlegs in 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'
Universal Pictures; Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo
Julian Dennison takes on the role of Fishlegs Ingerman, Hiccup's clumsy yet kindhearted best friend with an impressive knowledge of dragons.
He first made waves while starring in 2016's Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and later appeared in 2018's Deadpool 2 and 2024's Godzilla vs. Kong. He was also cast alongside Rachel Zegler in 2024's Y2K.
06 of 09
Gabriel Howell as Snotlout Jorgenson
Gabriel Howell in 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Snotlout in "How to Train Your Dragon 2'
Universal Pictures; Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo
Gabriel Howell portrays Snotlout Jorgenson, an outspoken and confident acquaintance of Hiccup’s (and, in the books, his cousin).
Known for his arrogant personality, Snotlout often clashes with Hiccup but shows his loyalty when it matters most.
Howell is most known for his role as Elias in Netflix's Bodies.
07 of 09
Bronwyn James as Ruffnut Thorston
Bronwyn James in 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Ruffnut in 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Universal Pictures; Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo
Bronwyn James joins the cast as Ruffnut Thorston, a spirited and unpredictable young Viking who trains alongside Hiccup and has a knack for getting into trouble.
She has appeared in the shows Harlots and Lockwood & Co. In addition, James played ShenShen in the 2024 film adaptation of Wicked.
08 of 09
Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnot Thorston
Harry Trevaldwyn in 'How to Train Your Dragon' ; Tuffnut in 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Universal Pictures; Dreamworks Animation/Mad Hatter/Kobal/Shutterstock
Harry Trevaldwyn stars as Tuffnut Thorston, a young Viking who is often at odds with his twin sister, Ruffnut, and trains alongside Hiccup.
"Very happy to be in Berk 🐉💘," he wrote on Instagram in January 2024, following his cast announcement.
Three months later, he shared behind-the-scenes photos with his castmates and offered a glimpse of his experience on set.
"Could write a haunting epic poem about the people who have made this experience complete heaven but thought I would write an Instagram caption instead," he wrote on Instagram. "Consider this dragon trained (in love)!!!"
Trevaldwyn previously appeared in 2022's The Bubble and Prime Video's My Lady Jane.
09 of 09
Ruth Codd as Phlegma the Fierce
Ruth Codd attends Netflix's The Midnight Club at New York Comic Con on October 06, 2022 in New York City ; Phlegma in the animated short film 'How to Train Your Dragon Homecoming' (2019).
Jason Mendez/Getty; Universal Pictures
Ruth Codd plays Phlegma the Fierce, a Berk villager who serves as a botanist at the School of Dragons.
Codd began her career as a TikTok star before transitioning to acting, with notable roles in 2022's The Midnight Club and 2023's The Fall of the House of Usher.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
