Catch the excitement as we welcome back DreamWorks Animation’s treasured tradition of “How to Train Your Dragon” into a breathtaking live-action experience! Production will film in beautiful locations across Northern Ireland. Dean DuBlois returns to direct the film, with Mason Thames reprising his role as Hiccup. In this astonishing tale, Hiccup develops an amazing friendship with the dragon Toothless, ending years of battle between all dragons and Vikings.
Filming commenced in early 2024, with production teams utilizing Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios to create immersive environments for the story. Iconic locations like Dunseverick Castle and Tollymore Forest offered incredible landscapes, making clear why Northern Ireland served as the show’s filming landscape. The complex Viking village set was built in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, taking advantage of the region’s varied topography.
Producer of the film David Cain noted the difficulties in translating an animated classic into a live-action feature. He recognized that fans value the first film’s unique magic. The team is obviously committed to bringing new angles and perspectives to the story.
“You’re trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy,” – David Cain.
Together, Hiccup and Toothless have become an iconic duo, and with this story, they’re taking center stage. Their new friendship paves the way through the gates that separate their two realms. The $500 million global blockbuster starred Nico Parker as Astrid and Gerard Butler as Stoick, the Viking chieftain. Butler shared his excitement for the project, understanding how physical sets can captivate viewers and immerse them in the narrative.
“Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story,” – Gerard Butler.
Having local talent within the production was a key point for Cain. He stated that Northern Ireland has built a solid reputation for hosting large-scale productions, following successes like “Game of Thrones.” He sees potential for “How to Train Your Dragon” to help his country continue to prove its magic to the world.
“Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that’s been done there and there’s been numerous films made there,” – David Cain.
Cain had some specific challenges when it came to scaling up the animated dragons. He masterfully guided us through the challenges of creating these bewitching creatures. Unlike animation, where size can be manipulated for storytelling convenience, real-life dragons require careful consideration of their physical presence in scenes.
“But when you’re working in real spaces, a large dragon is a large dragon and it takes up the space it needs,” – David Cain.
Production teams spent countless months on their back lot creating massive sets, like a world’s fair, to add authenticity to each and every scene. The film will be released on June 13, feeding the frenzy of fans clamoring for more. They are especially eager to see how this adaptation celebrates its animated predecessor and brings new experiences to life.
Cain hopes this film will entertain audiences. He hopes to promote the talent, beauty and spectacular scenery of Northern Ireland. He recognized the burgeoning film industry in Belfast.
“You’ve got stages now – I know Belfast Harbour is kind of growing as a development and there’s other stages around,” – David Cain.
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