Universal Studios and Dreamworks Animation's 'How To Train Your Dragon' series brings the world of Hiccup and Toothless to life.

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon has only just soared into theaters, and a sequel is already underway. In fact, it was announced back in April at CinemaCon 2025, well before the film,

As Hiccup, the 17-year-old actor is shouldering the weight of Universal’s new live-action franchise — and living out his childhood fantasy.

On the set of the live-action movie, Toothless and the other dragons existed as large puppets with simple functions, operated by a team of master puppeteers led by Tom Wilton, a performer who had worked on the “War Horse” stage play.

Costar Mason Thames, who stars as Hiccup in the 2025 live-action remake, says Gerard Butler personified "the giant brute force that Stoick is" Gerard Butler reprises his How to Train Your Dragon role of Stoick the Vast in the 2025 live-action remake Butler previously voiced the character for the franchise's animated films Mason Thames,

In an era of skepticism around live-action remakes, Universal believes audiences will take flight with Hiccup and Toothless again.

Universal's 'How to Train Your Dragon' is opening to $82.5M, the best in the franchise, while A24's 'Materialists' is looking at $11M+.