The Official 'How To Train Your Dragon' 2025 Cast: Full List Of Actors Bringing Berk To Live-Action
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved animated classic, How to Train Your Dragon, has finally revealed its full cast, bringing a mix of rising young stars and respected veterans to the Isle of Berk. As of late $\text{December 2025}$, the excitement is palpable, with the film hitting theaters and fans eager to see how the epic tale of Hiccup and Toothless translates to the big screen. This comprehensive guide details every major actor, their role, and the unique backgrounds they bring to one of the year’s biggest fantasy adventure releases.
This live-action reimagining, directed by the original animated trilogy's helmsman, Dean DeBlois, promises to honor the heart of the 2010 film while offering a fresh, visually stunning spectacle. The casting choices have generated significant buzz, pairing fresh faces with seasoned performers—most notably featuring the return of a key voice actor from the animated series to a live-action role.
The New Vikings of Berk: A Complete Cast & Character Profile
The How to Train Your Dragon 2025 cast features an exciting ensemble, with a new generation of actors stepping into the iconic roles of the young Viking dragon-riders, alongside some familiar faces returning to the harsh, yet beautiful, world of Berk. Here is the full list of the main cast and their comprehensive biographical profiles.
- Character: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
- Actor: Mason Thames
- Role: The awkward, inventive, and kind-hearted son of Stoick the Vast, who defies Viking tradition by befriending a dragon.
- Biography Snapshot: Mason Thames is an American actor born on July 10, 2007. He is best known for his breakout lead role as Finney Blake in the critically acclaimed horror film The Black Phone (2022). His earlier work includes the TV series For All Mankind. His casting as Hiccup marks his transition into a major fantasy franchise lead.
- Character: Astrid Hofferson
- Actor: Nico Parker
- Role: The fierce, competitive, and highly skilled Viking warrior who eventually becomes Hiccup's close friend and love interest.
- Biography Snapshot: Nico Parker is a British actress born on December 9, 2004, and is the daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and filmmaker Ol Parker. Her notable roles include the live-action Disney film Dumbo (2019) and, more recently, a poignant role as Sarah Miller in the acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us. She brings significant dramatic experience to the role of Astrid.
- Character: Stoick the Vast
- Actor: Gerard Butler
- Role: The massive, powerful, and traditional Chief of the Hairy Hooligan tribe and Hiccup's demanding father.
- Biography Snapshot: Gerard Butler is a Scottish actor and producer born on November 13, 1969. He is a veteran star of action and drama films, famous for roles like King Leonidas in 300 and Mike Banning in the Olympus Has Fallen franchise. Crucially, Butler is the only actor from the original animated trilogy to reprise his role in the live-action film, having voiced Stoick in all three animated movies.
- Character: Gobber the Belch
- Actor: Nick Frost
- Role: The village blacksmith, a seasoned warrior, and Stoick’s best friend and advisor, who serves as a reluctant mentor to Hiccup.
- Biography Snapshot: Nick Frost is an English actor, comedian, and writer born on March 28, 1972. He is globally recognized for his collaborations with Simon Pegg and director Edgar Wright, particularly in the "Cornetto Trilogy" (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End). His comedic timing is expected to be a highlight of the live-action adaptation.
- Character: Fishlegs Ingerman
- Actor: Julian Dennison
- Role: One of the young Viking trainees, known for his large size, deep knowledge of dragon lore, and nervous disposition.
- Biography Snapshot: Julian Dennison is a New Zealand actor born on October 26, 2002. He gained international fame for his starring role as Ricky Baker in Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) and later as the fire-powered mutant Russell "Rusty" Collins in the superhero film Deadpool 2 (2018).
- Character: Snotlout Jorgenson
- Actor: Gabriel Howell
- Role: Hiccup's arrogant, boastful, and often dim-witted cousin and rival.
- Biography Snapshot: Gabriel Howell is a British actor born on February 19, 1999, known for his work in various television series. His credits include the Netflix mystery thriller The Jetty and the ITV drama The Bay. His casting as Snotlout is a significant step into a major studio film.
- Character: Ruffnut Thorston
- Actor: Bronwyn James
- Role: One half of the competitive, bickering, and chaotic fraternal twin duo.
- Biography Snapshot: Bronwyn James is an English actress born on July 24, 1994. She has a strong background in period dramas, notably playing Fanny in Harlots, and has also appeared in the Netflix series Lockwood & Co. She is also cast in the major musical film adaptation of Wicked.
- Character: Tuffnut Thorston
- Actor: Harry Trevaldwyn
- Role: The other half of the Thorston twins, equally chaotic and prone to arguments with his sister.
- Biography Snapshot: Harry Trevaldwyn is an English actor, comedian, and writer born on February 14, 1994. He is recognized for his comedic roles in projects like Judd Apatow's film The Bubble (2022) and the British version of the series Ten Percent (2022).
The Vision: Dean DeBlois' Return and The Live-Action Differences
One of the most reassuring details for fans of the original trilogy is the return of writer and director Dean DeBlois, who helmed all three animated How to Train Your Dragon films. DeBlois’s involvement ensures that the core themes, emotional depth, and narrative integrity of the beloved franchise are maintained in the live-action format. His vision for the 2025 film was not to create a mere shot-for-shot remake, but to translate the animated world into a breathtaking, tangible spectacle.
The transition from animation to live-action required a massive effort in visual effects. DeBlois collaborated closely with Framestore, a leading visual effects company, to bring the dragons, especially Toothless, to life with a new level of realism and detail. This focus on cutting-edge CG technology aims to make the relationship between Hiccup and his Night Fury feel more grounded and emotionally impactful than ever before.
Key Differences to Expect in the 2025 Movie
While the 2025 live-action version follows the main narrative arc of the original, DeBlois has incorporated subtle yet significant changes to justify the adaptation and enhance the story for a new medium.
- A More Grounded Berk: The live-action setting of the Isle of Berk is designed to feel harsher and more realistic. The production team chose to film extensively in Northern Ireland, using its rugged, windswept landscapes as the real-life backdrop for the Viking village. This choice of filming location provides a stark, authentic atmosphere that contrasts with the more stylized animated world.
- Character Depth: Actors like Nick Frost (Gobber) have confirmed that the live-action version was able to explore more nuanced elements of their characters. For instance, Frost was able to fully embrace the subtle hints about Gobber's personal life that were present in the later animated films, adding layers of depth to the Viking blacksmith.
- Visual Changes to Dragon Training: Early reports indicate that some of the iconic scenes, like the 'Test Drive' sequence where Hiccup first flies with Toothless, are meticulously recreated but with a new visual language that emphasizes the danger and exhilaration of dragon riding in a real-world environment. The dragons themselves are rendered to look like genuine, massive creatures, demanding a different kind of interaction from the actors.
The Emotional Core: Why This Cast Works
The true success of the original How to Train Your Dragon was the powerful, wordless bond between Hiccup and Toothless, a dynamic that hinges entirely on the performance of the lead actor. Mason Thames, known for his compelling and vulnerable performance in The Black Phone, brings the necessary emotional sensitivity to Hiccup. His ability to convey internal struggle and quiet determination is crucial for capturing the essence of the scrawny Viking who sees the world differently.
Similarly, Nico Parker's experience in high-stakes dramas like The Last of Us suggests she can embody Astrid’s fierce independence and eventual softening towards Hiccup. The chemistry between Thames and Parker, transitioning from rivals to a formidable partnership, is a central pillar of the story.
The inclusion of Gerard Butler, who has lived with the character of Stoick for over a decade through his voice work, bridges the gap between the two versions of the franchise. His return provides an anchor of familiarity and authenticity for long-time fans. The combination of established talent and promising newcomers, all under the direction of the original creator, makes the How to Train Your Dragon 2025 cast perfectly positioned to deliver a live-action fantasy adventure that is both faithful to its roots and excitingly new.
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