Premiere - How to Train Your Dragon: A Soaring Premiere Ignites Los Angeles with Fire, Emotion, and Mythical Grandeur

By Mulder, Los Angeles, Musée de l'Académie du cinéma, 07 june 2025

On June 7, 2025, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures transformed into a fantastical portal to the windswept island of Berk for the Los Angeles premiere of the long-awaited live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. The red carpet shimmered under the California sun as guests, celebrities, and creators converged to celebrate a film that doesn’t merely revisit a beloved franchise—it reshapes it with reverence and raw cinematic power. Set to release nationwide on June 13, the premiere served as a landmark moment, not just in the film’s promotional journey, but in its mission to bridge the worlds of myth and realism. Directed by Dean DeBlois, the creator behind the original animated trilogy, the film marks a historic leap forward, transforming one of the most emotionally resonant animated sagas into a tactile, fully immersive cinematic experience.

Leading the ensemble was Mason Thames, who takes on the role of Hiccup—known here by his full Viking name, Harold Horrib Haddock III. At just 17, Mason Thames stunned onlookers with his mix of humility and charisma, embodying the very essence of a character torn between tradition and transformation. For Mason Thames, the premiere was a full-circle moment; as a child, he once watched the trailer for How to Train Your Dragon 2 and whispered, "I want to be him." Now, standing in front of flashing cameras and waving fans, he is him. Critics already praise his layered portrayal of Harold, depicting a boy navigating the impossible expectations of his chieftain father while discovering kinship with a wounded Night Fury. That father, Stoïk the Vast, is played in a rare animated-to-live-action return by Gerard Butler, whose thunderous yet tender performance has been widely praised. According to Gerard Butler, embodying Stoïk in the flesh rather than in the recording booth brought a new level of vulnerability and gravitas to the role. Wearing a 34-kilo 3D-printed armor, Gerard Butler described the process as one of the most demanding—and rewarding—of his career.

Among the most celebrated appearances on the red carpet was Nico Parker, who brings Astrid to life with fierce intelligence and subtle warmth. Critics have lauded Nico Parker for lending Astrid both physical agility and emotional depth, balancing the character’s sharp edge with moments of quiet solidarity and strength. Dean DeBlois has called her casting a revelation, citing her instinctual grasp of Astrid’s complexity as a turning point in shaping the film’s emotional arc. Rounding out the young ensemble are Gabriel Howell as Rustik, Julian Dennison as Varek, and Ruth Codd as Phlegma—all of whom were present at the premiere and received with roaring applause. In particular, Nick Frost, cast as the blacksmith Gueulfor, charmed the press with anecdotes about filming in brutal Northern Irish weather, forging camaraderie with Mason Thames on and off screen, and leaning into the physical toll of playing a Viking veteran with one leg.

Visually, the premiere was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The entrance of the Academy Museum was redesigned to resemble the village of Berk, complete with rune-covered tapestries, Nordic props, and immersive projections of dragons gliding across the night sky. Live orchestral renditions of John Powell’s legendary score played softly in the background as guests walked through recreated sets and were greeted by cosplayers in Viking and dragon attire. The event was a celebration of not only the film but also the craft behind it: from Dominic Watkins’ jaw-dropping production design that replicated Viking-age woodwork and stone, to the intricate puppeteering work that gave actors like Mason Thames something tangible to perform against.

Behind the camera, Dean DeBlois was all smiles, mingling with guests and pausing often to acknowledge the crew that helped bring his vision to life. In interviews, he stressed how this adaptation was not a studio directive but a personal journey—an opportunity to revisit a world that shaped his creative identity and finally render it with the realism and physicality it deserved. This intent is reflected in the performances and in every hand-sewn piece of costume, every practical dragon puppet, and every IMAX-filmed flight sequence. From the dragon saddle crafted from real leather to the rune-etched sword carried by Gerard Butler, the premiere highlighted how How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a film built not just on spectacle, but on sincerity.

Reception among critics and early attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Many singled out the film’s ability to retain the heart of the original trilogy while expanding its emotional landscape. Some called the relationship between Mason Thames’ Harold and Gerard Butler’s Stoïk one of the most potent father-son dynamics in recent fantasy cinema. Others praised Nico Parker’s nuanced arc, and the tangible chemistry among the young cast. There were comparisons to the first time audiences saw Middle-earth brought to life or witnessed the emotional high-wire act of Top Gun: Maverick. The film is described as a soaring blend of character, myth, and immersion—and the premiere served as the ultimate validation of that promise.

As the sun set over Los Angeles and the final guests filtered out, it was clear that How to Train Your Dragon had done more than debut—it had taken flight. It reminded those in attendance, from young fans seeing their heroes in person to industry veterans applauding the leap from animation to reality, that cinema still has the power to awaken wonder. In the hands of Dean DeBlois, Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, and the entire team, the skies of Berk are not only real—they’re unforgettable.

You can discover the official interviews red carpet :

itw Dean DeBlois 

itw Mason Thames 

itw Nico Parker 

itw Gerard Butler 

Itw Cressida Cowell

itw Gabriel Howell 

itw Harry Trevaldwyn and Bronwyn James

itw Julian Dennison 

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 Hiccup. Their unlikely bond will reveal the true nature of dragons and challenge the very foundations of Viking society. Flanked by the fierce and adventurous Astrid and Hiccup's friend, the village blacksmith, Harold must prove himself in a world torn apart by fear and misunderstanding. As a dangerous creature reemerges from the mists of the past, threatening both Vikings and dragons, Harold and Toothless's friendship could be the key to a new future. Together, they must forge a fragile path to peace, transcending the boundaries of their two worlds to redefine the very notions of leadership and heroism.

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 13, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 125 minutes

Photos : Getty Images / Universal Pictures