Universal Studios and Dreamworks Animation’s live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” flies into theaters on Friday, June 13, giving fans a new look at Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid and the rest of the Vikings on Berk.
Loosely based on Cressida Cowell’s 2003 book, “How to Train Your Dragon” tells the story of Hiccup, a teenage Viking who dreams of becoming a great dragon slayer like his father. While not physically capable of killing a dragon, the inventive Hiccup builds an net launcher that catches a Night Fury, the most elusive dragon in all of Berk. After finding the dragon’s wounded body, Hiccup discovers that he can’t bring himself to kill it. He befriends the creature instead, naming him Toothless. Hiccup goes against everything he learns from his father about dragons and decides to use Toothless as a way to study and better understand what dragons can do. The two form an unlikely bond, and when an ancient threat emerges that endangers both worlds, Toothless and Hiccup’s friendship becomes the key to bridging the two worlds together.
See the live-action cast of “How to Train Your Dragon” below.
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Mason Thames (Hiccup)
The main protagonist of the series, Hiccup, is played by Mason Thames. In the film, Hiccup desperately wants to follow his family lineage and become a dragon fighter. Although scrawnier than the other Viking children, Hiccup has the edge in brains. After one of his inventions catches the elusive dragon known as the Night Fury, Hiccup forms an unexpected bond with the legendary beast. Thames is best known for his role as Finney Blake in “The Black Phone.” He will soon star in the sequel “The Black Phone 2” later this year.
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Nico Parker (Astrid)
Astrid, the best young dragon-fighter in all of Berk, is played by Nico Parker. She’s bold, cunning and the de facto leader of the Vikings in training. While Hiccup has a crush on Astrid, Astrid is often annoyed with his clumsy antics. She eventually becomes suspicious of Hiccup’s sudden dragon expertise and discovers his secret bond with Toothless. Parker is best known for her role as Sarah in HBO’s “The Last of Us.” Her film credits include “Dumbo,” “Suncoast” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy”.
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Toothless
The Night Fury is a dragon that no living Viking has ever seen… until now. When Hiccup accidentally shoots one down during a fight, he becomes the first person to see a Night Fury up close. As Hiccup begins to empathize and understand the dragon, the two slowly form a bond. He eventually names him Toothless because of his retractable teeth. Toothless, while still a cunning beast, is a loving and loyal companion under the watch of Hiccup.
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Gerard Butler (Stoick the Vast)
Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast from the original “How to Train Your Dragon.” Stoick is the leader of the Vikings and Hiccup’s father. Stoick, devoted to tradition, is Berk’s premiere dragon butt kicker and often embarrassed by his scrawny son. Even so, Stoick does everything he can to help Hiccup follow in his footsteps. Butler’s other film credits include “The Phantom Of The Opera,” “300” and “Den of Thieves”.
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Nick Frost (Gobber the Belch)
Nick Frost plays Gobber the Belch, Berk’s one-handed blacksmith and unofficial dragon fighting instructor. Gobber becomes Hiccup’s mentor as he struggles to navigate the world of humans and dragons. Frost is best known for his roles in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, comprised of “Shaun Of The Dead,” “Hot Fuzz” and “ The World’s End.” His TV credits include “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” and “Doctor Who.” He will soon star as Rubeus Hagrid in HBO’s “Harry Potter” series.
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Gabriel Howell (Snotlout)
Gabriel Howell plays Snotlout, the most flirtatious and brash young Viking on Berk. He has a massive crush on Astrid and loves to embarrass Hiccup during dragon fighting training. Snotlout’s overconfidence is often misplaced, and just like Hiccup, he desperately wants approval from his father. Howell is most known for his roles in “Nightsleeper” and “Bodies”.
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Julian Dennison (Fishlegs)
Julian Dennison plays Fishlegs, a young Viking with encyclopedic knowledge of every dragon species. While not much help in combat, he’s a valuable asset when needing to know a dragon’s weakness in a pinch. He eventually becomes one of Hiccup’s best friends. Dennison’s film credits include “Hunt For The Wilderpeople,” “Deadpool 2” and “Y2K”.
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Harry Trevaldwyn (Tuffnut)
Harry Trevaldwyn plays Tuffnut, the twin brother of Ruffnut and a close friend to Snotlout and Fishlegs. He and his sister are always bickering on and off the dragon fighting arena. Towards the end of the film, the two twins share a dragon companion. Trevaldwyn is known for his performance in films like “The Bubble” and “Ten Percent”.
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Bronwyn James (Ruffnut)
Bronwyn James plays Ruffnut, Astrid’s closest friend and Tuffnut’s fraternal twin sister. Ruffnut is strong-headed and always ready to fight. Throughout the film, Ruffnut and Tuffnut are at odds with one another when it comes to who is the better fighter in Berk. James played a supporting part in “Wicked,” where she played Shenshen, one of Glinda’s friends. She also has appeared in projects such as “Harlots,” “Call The Midwife,” and “Lockwood & Co”.
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