share 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 The eagerly anticipated live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon is making waves with its first public glimpse of the Viking hero, Hiccup , as portrayed by Mason Thames of The Black Phone fame. Empire recently debuted this exclusive image, showcasing Hiccup clad in battle armour within a training arena, setting the stage for the new dynamic he shares with the dragon, Toothless. Directed, written, and produced by Dean DeBlois — who also helmed the original animated trilogy — the upcoming film stays true to the spirit of the original while introducing some unique twists and “dialled-up stakes”.
The image, taken from the scene where Hiccup tries to tame a dragon during his final exam, subtly shifts to show him pretending to fight Toothless, unable to bring himself to harm his friend. However, the new image has drawn some criticism for its aesthetic choices. Reflecting a trend seen in recent live-action remakes like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King , the colour palette appears desaturated, dominated by grays and browns.
Critics argue this could detract from the vibrant, colourful world that fans expect from How to Train Your Dragon . Advertisement ▼ Filming took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from January to May this year, with DeBlois promising photorealistic dragons that heighten the dramatic tension of the original story. The cast includes notable actors such as Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson , Gerard Butler reprising his role .
