Cast of How to Train Your Dragon 4 – Complete Cast and Roles

The live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon premiered on June 13, 2025, marking DreamWorks Animation’s ambitious first foray into real-world filmmaking. Dean DeBlois, who co-directed the original animated trilogy, returned to helm the project, bringing an air of authenticity that reassured longtime fans. The casting process, which unfolded across 2023 and 2024, combined familiar franchise veterans with fresh faces chosen to inhabit the beloved characters of Berk.

Among the most closely watched announcements was the selection of Mason Thames for the role of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the inventive young Viking who would become the world’s first dragon rider. Thames, known for his work in The Black Phone, was confirmed alongside Nico Parker as Astrid, whose fierce warrior spirit anchors the film’s central group of dragon training recruits. The announcement came through Variety, Deadline, and the Hollywood Reporter on May 30, 2023, setting the stage for a gradual revelation of the full cast.

Complete Cast Breakdown and Key Roles

The live-action film features a mix of seasoned performers and emerging talents. Gerard Butler reprised his animated role as Stoick the Vast, Hiccup’s father and chief of Berk, a casting decision that provided narrative continuity and fan reassurance. Nick Frost, celebrated for his work in British comedy films, took on the mantle of Gobber the Belch, the gruff but supportive dragon training instructor.

The Young Cast: Bringing Berk’s Dragon Riders to Life

Beyond Thames and Parker, the young dragon riders received their live-action forms through carefully selected performers. Julian Dennison, whose credits include Hunt for the Wilderpeople, took on the role of Fishlegs Ingerman, the enthusiastic scholar whose expertise in dragon lore proves invaluable. Gabriel Howell was cast as Snotlout Jorgenson, whose bravado and occasional cowardice provide comic relief throughout the story.

Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn rounded out the core group as Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston, the inseparable twins whose competitive dynamic drives several key scenes. Ruth Codd joined the production as Phlegma the Fierce, a character whose role was filled in March 2024, while Naomi Wirthner’s casting as Gothi, the tribe’s elder and seer, was confirmed through DeBlois’s Instagram account in May 2024.

Veteran Performers and Supporting Roles

Peter Serafinowicz and Murray McArthur represented the most recent confirmed additions, announced alongside the teaser trailer release on November 19, 2024. Their specific roles within the film’s narrative remained unspecified at the time of their announcement, though their casting added further depth to the ensemble.

Casting Announcement Timeline

The journey from animated original to live-action adaptation unfolded over nearly two years of gradual reveals. January 2023 saw the first rumors surface via Giant Freaking Robot, reporting that Dean DeBlois would direct the project. Insider Daniel Richtman corroborated and expanded upon these reports through his Patreon platform later that month, with the information subsequently picked up by major news outlets.

1. January 2023: Rumors of Dean DeBlois’s involvement circulate; industry insider confirms project development
2. February 2023: Universal Pictures lists the project as Untitled How to Train Your Dragon Film; composer John Powell confirms his involvement
3. May 2023: Mason Thames and Nico Parker officially confirmed as Hiccup and Astrid through major trade publications
4. January 2024: Gerard Butler returns as Stoick; Nick Frost joins as Gobber
5. January 2024: Remaining core cast members (Dennison, Howell, James, Trevaldwyn) officially announced
6. March 2024: Ruth Codd cast as Phlegma the Fierce
7. May 2024: Principal photography wraps at Titanic Studios, Belfast
8. November 2024: Teaser trailer releases; Serafinowicz and McArthur join the cast

Confirmed vs. Unconfirmed Casting Details

While the majority of the cast has been officially confirmed through press releases and trade announcements, several aspects of the voice work remain undocumented in publicly available sources. Chief among these is the identity of the performer providing Toothless’s vocalizations in the live-action film.

Behind the Casting Choices

The decision to cast Mason Thames as Hiccup represented a calculated balance between finding an actor capable of capturing the character’s intellectual curiosity and physical awkwardness while still projecting the leadership qualities that define him. Thames’s background in The Black Phone demonstrated his ability to handle emotionally complex material, a trait that would serve the role well given Hiccup’s internal struggles.

Nico Parker’s casting as Astrid drew from her previous work in Dumbo and her Emmy-nominated performance in The Last of Us, where she demonstrated the kind of physical presence and determination that Astrid’s character demanded. Her BAFTA nomination lent additional credibility to her casting, suggesting the production sought performers with proven dramatic capabilities.

The return of Gerard Butler as Stoick provided an immediate connection to the original films. Butler’s reprising of his animated role offered fans a bridge between the two versions, his Scottish-inflected performance having become inseparable from the character’s identity. The production’s decision to bring him back signaled a commitment to honoring the source material’s legacy.

Production Context and Studio Backing

DreamWorks Animation produced the film with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel serving as producers, lending their extensive industry experience to the project. Principal photography wrapped on May 16, 2024, at Titanic Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a facility that had previously hosted numerous major film productions. The location choice suggested a commitment to substantial production values, with the studio’s infrastructure supporting the elaborate sets and visual effects work the project would require.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

The live-action adaptation opened to broadly positive reviews, with critics acknowledging the film’s fidelity to the original while recognizing its distinct identity. The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus noted the film’s “loving fidelity to the animated classic by original co-director Dean DeBlois,” though the assessment suggested the new version did not surpass its predecessor while still achieving “enchanting heights of its own.”

Crafted with loving fidelity to the animated classic by original co-director Dean DeBlois, How to Train Your Dragon doesn’t best the first iteration but still reaches enchanting heights of its own.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

Audience response proved even more enthusiastic, with the Popcornmeter registering 97% based on over 10,000 ratings. Reviewers praised the “lovable cast of characters” and the “heartfelt story that pulls at the heartstrings,” with some declaring it potentially “the best live-action adaptation yet.” The strong reception suggested the casting decisions had resonated with both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.

With a lovable cast of characters sure to spark plenty of laughs and a heartfelt story that pulls at the heartstrings, How to Train Your Dragon may just be the best live-action adaptation yet.

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Response

Comparing Animated and Live-Action Performances

The transition from animation to live-action inherently transforms how audiences experience these characters. In the animated original, Hiccup’s voice performance by Jay Baruchel defined the character’s hesitant, self-deprecating humor. Mason Thames faced the challenge of embodying that established persona through physical performance alone, requiring him to translate vocal mannerisms into body language and facial expression.

Similarly, Astrid’s fierce determination, originally conveyed through America Ferrera’s voice work and animated movements, now relied entirely on Nico Parker’s physical acting. The absence of voice work for the young cast members placed heightened demands on their ability to communicate character through performance without the safety net of pre-recorded dialogue.

Official Sources and Industry Verification

The casting announcements were verified through multiple industry sources. Variety, Deadline, and the Hollywood Reporter all confirmed Mason Thames and Nico Parker’s involvement on May 30, 2023. Thames himself confirmed his casting through a post on his personal Twitter account, providing direct verification from the performer.

Gerard Butler’s return as Stoick was reported on January 5, 2024, through the same trade publications, establishing his involvement through established industry channels. The subsequent wave of announcements on January 24, 2024, completed the core ensemble, with each performer confirmed through verifiable press coverage.

Looking Ahead

The live-action adaptation’s strong reception positions it as a potential launching point for expanded franchise content. Should the film achieve the commercial success its critical response suggests, additional installments could follow. Director Dean DeBlois has previously expressed interest in adapting multiple stories from Cressida Cowell’s original book series, which provided the foundation for the animated films.

For audiences seeking to understand the complete cast picture, the November 2024 teaser trailer remains the most recent comprehensive source, though additional information may emerge as the film’s promotional cycle continues. Those interested in comparable casting news might explore cast announcements for other anticipated releases or developments in franchise casting processes.

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