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F1: The Movie is a technical marvel, but the decision to lean into the all too familiar tropes of the genre is going to be hit or miss with people, depending on what they are expecting.
Posted in: Movies, Universal | Tagged: how to train your dragon
How to Train Your Dragon: An Authentic Father-Son Bond BTS Featurette
Universal released a new BTS featurette for How to Train Your Dragon, which spotlights the father-son bond and how important it was to get it right.
Article Summary
- Universal unveils a new behind-the-scenes featurette for How to Train Your Dragon spotlighting Hiccup and Stoick.
- The video explores the film's authentic approach to portraying the father-son relationship at its heart.
- Mason Thames and Gerard Butler discuss building their on-screen bond and praise each other's performances.
- Early buzz is positive, and the film will be released in theaters on June 13, 2025.
As the movie goes on, one of the crucial elements of How to Train Your Dragon is the developing and changing bond between Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Stoick (Gerard Butler). Hiccup's desire to become more like his fellow Vikings doesn't just come from wanting to fit in with his peers, but wanting to be embraced by his father. So many teenagers go through times in their lives when they are changing and becoming their own person, and all they want is for their parents to accept this new version of their kid that is coming into existence. So getting that dynamic right was so important, and it seems that everyone involved with the film knew that as well. Universal released a new behind-the-scenes featurette today where Thames and Butler talk about the bond their characters share, the bond they developed, and both sing each other's praises.
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- Byline: Helen Sloan © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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- Stoick (Gerard Butler) in Universal Pictures' live- action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo by Helen Sloane/Universal Pictures © Universal Pictures
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- (from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Stoick (Gerard Butler) in Universal Pictures' live- action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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- Mason Thames (right) as Hiccup with his Night Fury dragon, Toothless, in Universal Pictures' live-action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures © 2024 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
While the review embargo is still up, and they did make sure we knew there were still a few tweaks here and there that needed to be made, I'm happy to report that How to Train Your Dragon is good. As someone very nervous about this and a massive fan of the original film, I walked away very pleased and just as in my feels as I was when I saw the first film for the first time.
How to Train Your Dragon: Summary, Cast List, Release Date
From three-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation's acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village's quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.
As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup's friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.
The film also stars Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones).
How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by three-time Oscar® nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns). How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX® Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world.
Inspired by Cressida Cowell's New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation's How to Train Your Dragon franchise has captivated global audiences, earning four Academy Award® nominations and grossing more than $1.6 billion at the global box office. Now, through cutting-edge visual effects, DeBlois transforms his beloved animated saga into a breathtaking live-action spectacle, bringing the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life with jaw-dropping realism as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage, and destiny. How To Train Your Dragon will be released in theaters on June 13, 2025.
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