Movies - How to Train Your Dragon: Epic Universe Launches a Mythic Celebration for a New Generation of Dreamers

By Mulder, Orlando, Universal Epic Universe,, 20 may 2025

There are theme park unveilings, and then there are moments like this—where fantasy and film collide to spark something truly magical. On May 20th, 2025, Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, hosted a grand opening event that wasn’t just another press stunt; it was a powerful gesture of gratitude and excitement, welcoming fans and stars alike into the cinematic world of How to Train Your Dragon—reborn in live action. Among the first to soar into the park’s richly imagined Isle of Berk were Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler, the new leads of the upcoming live-action remake. Walking amongst Viking halls and life-sized animatronic dragons, they weren’t just promoting a film—they were stepping into a legacy. And fittingly, alongside them was the franchise's original visionary, writer-director Dean DeBlois, whose presence served as a symbol of continuity in a story that’s always been about bridging worlds.

There’s an old saying that stories, when told from the heart, never grow old—they evolve. And few tales have evolved as beautifully as How to Train Your Dragon. When DeBlois first brought Hiccup and Toothless to the screen in 2010, he delivered more than a box office hit. He crafted a generational touchstone. The sweeping score by John Powell, the painterly animation, and the deeply personal core of a boy discovering empathy through difference—these ingredients ignited a global phenomenon. Now, in 2025, DeBlois is once again at the helm, but this time his canvas is larger, richer, and more grounded. With practical sets rising from the windswept coasts of Belfast, IMAX cameras capturing sky-drenched vistas, and the return of composer Powell and cinematographer Bill Pope, this live-action adaptation aims not to repeat the past, but to expand it with reverence and precision.

Casting was never going to be easy when replacing animated icons with real-world counterparts. But what DeBlois and his team have done feels almost alchemical. Mason Thames, already lauded for his role in The Black Phone, takes on Hiccup with the kind of wounded determination that feels lived-in rather than performed. Nico Parker brings a fierce loyalty and grounded grace to Astrid, reshaping the character into a strong emotional compass without losing her edge. But perhaps the most heart-tugging choice was bringing back Gerard Butler as Stoick. His voice helped define the original trilogy, but in person, as a live-action chieftain, he channels a gravitas that marries nostalgia with renewal. His scenes, especially those highlighting Stoick's internal conflict between tradition and love, are reportedly among the most emotionally resonant in the film.

Behind the scenes, the production endured its own dragons to slay. Initially delayed by the industry-halting SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023, filming finally commenced in early 2024. But as often happens with passionate projects, the wait only added to the intensity. Onlookers in Belfast recounted seeing Viking ships pulled ashore and hearing the whoosh of drone-mounted cameras sweeping over cliffside villages built from scratch. Visual effects houses Framestore and DNEG were brought in under the leadership of Christian Manz to bring Toothless and his kin to life. And while the VFX artistry is state-of-the-art, what makes these dragons feel real is the meticulous balance of practical and digital—the flick of a tail, the glint in a wide, curious eye—all enhanced, never drowned, by technology.

The film’s debut at CinemaCon this April lit up Las Vegas with something that’s increasingly rare: genuine emotional electricity. Universal’s Jim Orr wasn’t exaggerating when he teased “breathtaking visuals and emotional storytelling.” The film’s climax, involving a daring mid-air rescue and a moment of reconciliation between father and son, reportedly brought a hush over the crowd, followed by applause that felt more earned than expected. And with a high-profile screening set for the Tribeca Festival, where East Coast critics will get their first look, the studio appears confident that this is more than a summer blockbuster—it’s a cultural event in the making.

Marketing has leaned heavily into nostalgia, and it’s working. The first trailer, paired with screenings of Wicked, unleashed a barrage of reactions across social media, many focused on the staggering reveal of Toothless mid-flight. A Super Bowl teaser drilled deeper into the father-son dynamic, with a heart-wrenching exchange that left even cynical viewers admitting they “felt something.” And in a landscape where franchises often chase relevance through quantity rather than quality, it’s heartening to know that this isn’t a one-off. Universal has already greenlit a sequel based on How to Train Your Dragon 2, signaling long-term commitment to the live-action saga.

What’s truly remarkable, though, is how the film and its surrounding universe—both literal and narrative—have managed to preserve the mythic heart of the original. In the theme park's Isle of Berk, the tactile beauty of the franchise takes shape in the form of Viking ships, roaring dragons, and a lovingly rendered recreation of Hiccup’s village. For kids visiting this place, it’s an invitation to step into wonder. For adults, it’s a bridge back to the days when Toothless first took flight in our imaginations. As DeBlois explained on The Today Show, the goal wasn’t just to recreate Berk, but to inhabit it fully—to “live inside the story.”

In the end, How to Train Your Dragon in live action is more than a film. It’s a shared dream passed down, lovingly polished, and re-gifted. It’s a celebration of storytelling that grows with us, shifts with time, and reminds us that even in the face of change, the core of what moves us—friendship, courage, understanding—remains eternal. Whether through the darkened halls of a theater or the sunlit cobblestones of a theme park, one thing is clear: Berk is back, and it’s never felt more real.

Discover the official interviews :

itw Dean DeBlois

itw Gerard Butler

itw Mason Thames and Nico Parker

itw John Powell

itw Cressida Cowell

itw Adam Siegel

Synopsis :
On the rugged island of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have fought mercilessly for generations, Harold is an exception. Shy and overshadowed by his father, the tribe's chief Stoik, this young dreamer defies centuries of tradition by befriending a dragon named Toothless. Their unlikely bond will reveal the true nature of dragons and challenge the very foundations of Viking society.

How to Train Your Dragon
Written and directed by Dean DeBlois
Based on How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Produced by Marc Platt, Dean DeBlois, Adam Siegel
Starring Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur
Cinematography : Bill Pope
Edited by Wyatt Smith
Music by John Powell
Production companies : DreamWorks Animation, Marc Platt Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : April 2, 2025 (CinemaCon), June 11, 2025 (France), June 13, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 125 minutes