Ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike pushes out Universal’s adaptation, starring Mason Thames and Nico Parker as franchise romantic leads Hiccup and Astrid, to a June 13, 2025 theatrical release.
Universal Pictures’ live-action feature adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon has officially been delayed due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, according to Deadline. Luckily, the push isn’t too drastic, and the film will now premiere on June 13, 2025, instead of March 14, 2025.
Mason Thames (The Black Phone) and Nico Parker (The Last of Us) star as romantic leads Hiccup and Astrid, respectively. No further casting details have been revealed. The film tells the story of the young Viking Hiccup as he aspires to hunt dragons, and how he unexpectedly befriends one.
Based on the best-selling book series by Cressida Cowell, the first animated movie, How to Train Your Dragon, premiered in 2010. The franchise boasts four Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award for the second film chapter. Award-winning filmmaker Dean DeBlois, who helmed the DreamWorks Animation franchise’s three hit features, returns to write, direct, and produce the live-action project.
Oscar nominee Marc Platt (La La Land, Bridge of Spies, Trial Of The Chicago 7) is on board to produce for his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions alongside Adam Siegel, President of Marc Platt Productions. Platt is currently in production on Universal Pictures' film adaptation of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Grammy winner Ariana Grande and Academy Award nominee and Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Cynthia Erivo.
Christian Manz is set as the production VFX supervisor.
Lexi Barta will oversee production development on behalf of Universal. DeBlois is represented by WME and Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler Feldman & Clark.
How to Train Your Dragon is set to fly into theaters on June 13, 2025.
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