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USA Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
See an exclusive (and cute) deleted scene from 'How to Train Your Dragon'
The live-action remake of 'How to Train Your Dragon' brought back many memorable sequences from the 2010 animated classic. One cute moment, however, didn't make the cut. The new 'Dragon' has brought fresh life to the franchise about Viking teenager Hiccup (Mason Thames) befriending a Night Fury named Toothless, even though the youngster's people consider these beasts an existential threat. The movie is available to buy or rent from video-on-demand platforms July 15, and has the exclusive debut of a deleted scene that old fans will recognize. In the first 'Dragon,' there's a sequence set after Hiccup and Toothless fly through the skies together for the first time and take a break on the beach afterward. They're approached by a group of Terrible Terrors, little dragons who want some of Toothless' fish, but he warns them off. Hiccup, however, gives some of his fish to one, and the small beastie snuggles up to the kid like a puppy. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Writer and director Dean DeBlois re-created the scene for the new film, filming it partly at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and building a portion of it on a stage at Belfast's Titanic Studios. But in the end, DeBlois decided it didn't need to be in the movie. 'It actually dragged down the pace a little bit and Hiccup was already learning that everything they know about dragons was wrong,' the filmmaker says. In addition to deleted scenes, bonus features for the new 'Dragon' include a behind-the-scenes look at how they made the thrilling 'Test Drive' sequence, the technology used to bring dragons to life, a gag reel, and DeBlois' commentary.
Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
How to Train Your Dragon star Mason Thames: ‘My driver, Niall, would tell me the craziest stories about growing up in Belfast'
North Antrim is a star. You saw quite a bit of its blasted coasts in Game of Thrones . You will see a good deal more in what seems certain to be one of the summer's biggest films. The upcoming live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon – a merry romp that sticks close to the 2010 DreamWorks animation – shot its studio sequences in Belfast and its exteriors on the unforgiving North Channel. It is easy to get blase about this. But it is not so long ago that the notion of such a huge production landing in the North would have seemed preposterous. Mason Thames, the buzzy lead of the film, has, for a young Texan, an admirable grasp of what went before. Filming at Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios, he could easily have shut himself off from the rest of the city. He would not have been the first movie star to leave a location having seen the inside of only its hotels and sound stages. 'I got a lot of time in Belfast and I loved it,' he tells me. 'I love the people there. Every morning I would set out with my driver – his name is Niall – and he would tell me the craziest stories about growing up in Belfast. I heard a lot of the history about the Troubles. He would drive me around at the weekends and tell me about the history of every street. There is so much history that goes into Belfast. While I was there I was learning about all that. It was very interesting.' READ MORE One thing has not changed in Ulster: the weather. We know that the digital boffins now add a fair proportion of the rain, snow and hurricanes we see in big-budget pictures. But there is no faking the skin-stripping torrents that met the cast around Dunseverick Castle and Tollymore Forest. That must, to Thames, have seemed more foreign than the accents. 'Yeah, I'm from Texas, so I'm used to heat,' he says, laughing. 'I'm definitely not built for the cold. It was freezing. A lot of the other characters are tough – they're strong. Everybody is shivering. So it was tough for them. They really had to push through it.' Thames plays Hiccup, the callow Viking who, defying all traditions, makes friends with one of the dragons that his family and friends regard as a mortal threat to the community. 'With Hiccup I actually used the cold to help me, to make him feel little,' he says. 'Shivering was okay. So I had the chance to use that. But some of the days were really tough with the weather. But I think the beautiful views and sets and landscapes we had made up for it.' Mason Thames and Nico Parker in How to Train Your Dragon He is a polite young man. He'll go far. Now 17, Thames, a lanky character with a lolloping delivery, trained first as a dancer (his sister is a professional ballerina) before finessing his way into acting. 'Then, when I was 10, one of my mom's friends said, 'Hey, get him into some toy modelling,'' he says. 'And, after that, the agent back in Texas said, 'Let's send him on some real auditions.' Mom was, like, 'I don't know what any of this means.' It was a big, big leap for us. So we went to LA for about six months, and my mom was still figuring out this world. We are still very new to it.' Thames, who was born in Dallas, cannot locate any history of performance in the family. Dad was in real estate. His mom essentially now works as the young man's assistant. His first professional gig was on a show that occupies ground somewhere between cult popularity and 'best series you've never seen'. Thames perks up when I mention that I am firmly among those evangelising for Apple TV+'s excellent For All Mankind . He had a juvenile role in the opening series of the epic alternative history of the space programme. 'That was crazy. That was my first job,' he says. 'Crazy, weird memories. Good memories. But a long time ago.' Lord bless him. I guess six or seven years does feel like a long time when you are 17. Anyway, after that he went back into the audition loop and, in 2021, started work as lead on what turned out to be the smash horror flick The Black Phone . Directed by Scott Derrickson, the adaptation of Joe Hill's shocker took $161 million on an $18 million budget and put Thames in the spotlight. Good-looking with a quirky manner, he was just the sort of fellow casting agents fight over. Dean DeBlois, director of both the current How to Train Your Dragon and the 2011 animated version , discovered his star at 30,000 feet. 'He was on a plane, and his husband was watching The Black Phone,' Thames says. 'And he looks over to Dean and he was, like, 'Have you seen this movie?' And Dean starts watching the movie. He sees me, and he calls Lucy, the casting director, and is, like, 'Hey, who is this kid? Why is he not auditioning? Let's get him in the room.' And, because of that movie, I got in the room.' The Black Phone: Brady Hepner and Mason Thames in the 2021 horror film. Photograph: PA Photo/Universal Studios/Fred Norris I would imagine great pressure must come with being the lead on a film of this scale. The Black Phone was not a tiny movie, but the production cannot compare with the behemoth that is How to Train Your Dragon. The original film, adapted from a much-loved book by Cressida Cowell, took close to $500 million. The first sequel made a fair bit more than that. Universal Pictures is hoping the current project, co-starring Gerard Butler and Nico Parker, will function as one of its tent-pole releases of the young summer. [ 'How to Train Your Dragon': The franchise that inspired a generation of young animators Opens in new window ] 'Going in, the pressure was already there, because this is such a well-established world in the first place,' Thames says. 'Stepping into those shoes already is a lot of pressure – from me wanting to please the fans and make them happy. But, at the same time, like, I really just wanted to make me happy. Because I'm such a fan of the original. I love Hiccup so much.' I get the sense that Thames can handle the pressure. He seems enthused, but not overpowered, by the attention that is now coming his way. A sequel to The Black Phone arrives in October. Everyone is expecting How to Train Your Dragon to deliver a string of lucrative successors. Just look how well the current live-action update of Disney's Lilo & Stitch is doing. We trust Thames won't forget his time in Belfast as work keeps rolling in. It sounds as if the Texan felt at home there. 'I saw similarities in Texas and Belfast as regards the people at least,' he says. 'Where I am from in Texas, you walk into a store and can just strike up a conversation. You can just talk to them for a little bit. In Belfast you can go into a coffee shop and, if there's a lady sitting down, you can sit next to her and have an hour-long conversation. I think that's the most special thing about places and people in general.' Come back soon, wee man. How to Train Your Dragon is in cinemas from Monday, June 9th
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
How to Train Your Dragon star Gerard Butler 'felt like Belfast's adopted son'
Hollywood actor Gerard Butler has said he felt like Belfast's "adopted son" while filming How to Train Your Dragon in Northern first live-action remake of the hit animated trilogy was produced across a number of locations in early of its release in cinemas on 9 June, Universal confirmed a sequel will be Butler told BBC News NI he "can't imagine" it being filmed anywhere other than back in Northern Ireland. He plays the role of Viking leader Stoick, in the Dean DeBlois-directed story of a conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictions isle of Berk. The real-life locations that make up Berk in the film are in Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north Antrim coast and Tollymore Forest in County Down. Speaking of his time living in Belfast, Gerard Butler described the locals as "his people"."There's not much of a difference whether you're in Glasgow or if you're in Belfast," he added."I felt like they felt like I was their son."Everybody just kind of adopts you, it was great, I loved being there." Filming How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland The production spent several months filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios."These sets are some of the best ever built," he said."And that was the Northern Irish crew and they did a great job. That wasn't easy to do. "Because when you watch these animated films, you say how [are] you ever making this? How [are] you going to pull this off. "And we did it."The Scottish actor, who was born in Paisley, said he loved filming in Northern Ireland and was well used to the cold temperatures - when he wasn't wearing his huge costume. "I say it was cold, [but] I was cold when I wasn't working. When I was working, I was hot. "Everyone else was cold, but I had seven layers on. That costume was really heavy. I wore that for nine weeks. "When I'd everything on, it was 90 lbs. "It was intense, but it also meant I could fully transform into Stoick - I felt like when I stepped onto that set, I've got that helmet, I'm like eight feet tall, like 'I'm here, it's hard not to notice'." Gerard Butler's 'crazy' run-in at Northern Ireland pub Away from the set, Butler caused quite a stir when spotted out and about in Belfast and nearby said it could "get a bit crazy" at times, with fans keen to say one occasion, he thought one bar, described as "an old man's pub", would be "cool" with him and create no fuss."I walked in and there were three different people who recognised me. "And I'm saying hello to them. "The whole bar started moving our way, it was late at night, everyone was drunk."These guys said to us, we'll help you and they kind of pushed us back out the door - basically because it got so crazy in there."I had said to my manager before, this one's good, this is an old's man's pub. They'll be cool… then barged back out the door, like OK, OK maybe not tonight," he added, laughing at the about the film's sequel, he said he was "sure it will happen in Northern Ireland"."I can't imagine it happening anywhere else. I know Dean [DeBlois] our director loved it there, loved the crew, everybody did."The people worked really hard. It's a lot of work to make these movies. This one was huge. So people there did a great job. He was over the moon with the whole crew. So I can't imagine it going anywhere else." Meanwhile Butler's castmate Nick Frost also proclaimed his love of the city."It's full of history, it's beautiful and I got to see the H&W cranes," the Shaun of the Dead star said."As a bit of an engineering fan, I loved that they were right where we shot. It's incredible. Love it."As for returning to Northern Ireland to shoot a sequel, Frost admitted he had another preference."I'd like them to shoot in my house or in the garden, if they could build a little set somewhere near my house."Referring to the types of dragon featured in the movie, he added: "I could probably fit a Terrible Terror, but I couldn't fit a Night Fury." The young stars of the film - Mason Thames who plays Hiccup and Nico Parker who plays Astrid - said it would be a joy to film "whereever it is". "Northern Ireland would obviously be amazing because it would be like a big reunion," Thames said."I think we'll go back there regardless."The pair described the filming conditions as "freezing on the north coast", but "gorgeous". They admitted their love for the Northern Irish accent, and also revealed a case of food poisoning that afflicted the entire crew - except, that is, for Mason Thames who said he escaped the bug thanks to his first attempt at cold-water the temperatures however, he said it was an activity he wouldn't be trying again.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dragon live-action remake had 'all sorts of challenges'
Dragon live-action remake had 'all sorts of challenges' Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, in the new live-action version of the animated movie [Universal Pictures] Filming How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland was not without its challenges, according to the film's producer. Dragons tend to be pretty large, for one thing. The upcoming feature is the first live-action remake of the hit animated series. "When they animated, they would draw it just to the convenient size they needed it to be," David Cain told BBC News NI. "But when you're working in real spaces, a large dragon is a large dragon and it takes up the space it needs." Gerard Butler as Viking leader Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars, as Stoick the Viking leader [Universal Pictures] Directed by Dean DuBlois, the film tells the story of how a human and dragon befriend each other, breaking generations of conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictional isle of Berk. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And Berk was created in a number of locations in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north coast and Tollymore Forest. Many visitors to Belfast's Titanic Quarter will have noticed the battlements of the Viking village, for instance, built just across the road from the Titanic Studios. The Sampson and Goliath cranes from the nearby shipyards towered over the set but the dragons left them alone. And the sets certainly impressed Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars as Stoick, the Viking leader. "Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story," he said in a behind-the-scenes film about the making of How to Train Your Dragon. Dunseverick Castle was one filming location [Getty Images] BBC News NI spoke to How to Train Your Dragon's producer David Cain, just before President Trump's announcement that tariffs could be applied to films made in foreign countries. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement How to Train Your Dragon began life as a hugely successful animated trilogy of films from Dreamworks Animation. And, according to Mr Cain, there are "all sorts of challenges" in turning an animated hit into a live-action film, not just the size of the dragons. "You're trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy," he said. "While at the same time bringing something fresh and new to the table." Director Dean DuBlois gives on set direction to Nico Parker [Universal Pictures] In Belfast, the production spent several months in early 2024 filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We also built substantial sets on our back lot," David Cain said. "Obviously a lot of our work takes place on the mythical island of Berk and its village, so we built a lot of our sets outside for natural light and natural weather." Audiences in Northern Ireland will quickly recognize the rugged coastline of Dunseverick, where teenagers Hiccup - played by Mason Thames - and Astrid - played by Nico Parker - have a heart-to-heart talk in one of the film's key scenes. Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, challenging Viking certainties and the conflict with the dragons. Game of Thrones and Northern Ireland's reputation Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Nico Parker as Astrid [Universal Pictures] David Cain said Northern Ireland was "doing everything right" in trying to attract more big films. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "I think you now have a ground of talent in crew," he said. "What we know as extras, the guys are just so good. "You've got stages now - I know Belfast Harbour is kind of growing as a development and there's other stages around." Six years after it ended, it is clear that Game of Thrones left a lasting legacy. David Cain thinks that How to Train Your Dragon can also screen Northern Ireland to the world. "Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that's been done there and there's been numerous films made there," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "We're a big film and hopefully it'll draw attention to the talent and locations and stages and the beauty that Northern Ireland has on offer." How to Train Your Dragon is in cinemas on 13 June.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How To Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland
How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland was not without its challenges. Dragons tend to be pretty large, for one thing. That is according to the film's producer, David Cain. "When they animated, they would draw it just to the convenient size they needed it to be," he told BBC News NI. "But when you're working in real spaces, a large dragon is a large dragon and it takes up the space it needs." How to Train Your Dragon is the first live action version of the films in the hit animated series. Gerard Butler as Viking leader Directed by Dean DuBlois, it tells the story of how a human and dragon befriend each other, breaking generations of conflict between dragons and Vikings on the fictional isle of Berk. And Berk was created in a number of locations in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Dunseverick Castle on the north coast and Tollymore Forest. Many visitors to Belfast's Titanic Quarter will have noticed the battlements of the Viking village, for instance, built just across the road from the Titanic Studios. The Sampson and Goliath cranes from the nearby shipyards towered over the set but the dragons left them alone. And the sets certainly impressed Gerard Butler, one of the film's stars as Stoick, the Viking leader. "Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story," he said in a behind-the-scenes film about the making of How to Train Your Dragon. BBC News NI spoke to How to Train Your Dragon's producer David Cain, just before President Trump's announcement that tariffs could be applied to films made in foreign countries. Dunseverick Castle was one filming location [Getty Images] How to Train Your Dragon began life as a hugely successful animated trilogy of films from Dreamworks Animation. And, according to David Cain, there are "all sorts of challenges" in turning an animated hit into a live action film, not just the size of the dragons. "You're trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy," he told BBC News NI. "While at the same time bringing something fresh and new to the table." In Belfast, the production spent several months in early 2024 filming at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios. "We also built substantial sets on our back lot," David Cain said. "Obviously a lot of our work takes place on the mythical island of Berk and its village, so we built a lot of our sets outside for natural light and natural weather." Audiences in Northern Ireland will quickly recognize the rugged coastline of Dunseverick, where teenagers Hiccup - played by Mason Thames - and Astrid - played by Nico Parker - have a heart-to-heart talk in one of the film's key scenes. Hiccup befriends the young dragon, Toothless, challenging Viking certainties and the conflict with the dragons. Game of Thrones and Northern Ireland's reputation David Cain said Northern Ireland was "doing everything right" in trying to attract more big films. "I think you now have a ground of talent in crew," he said. "What we know as extras, the guys are just so good. "You've got stages now - I know Belfast Harbour is kind of growing as a development and there's other stages around." Six years after it ended, it is clear that Game of Thrones left a lasting legacy. David Cain thinks that How to Train Your Dragon can also screen Northern Ireland to the world. "Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that's been done there and there's been numerous films made there," he said. "We're a big film and hopefully it'll draw attention to the talent and locations and stages and the beauty that Northern Ireland has on offer." How to Train Your Dragon is in cinemas on 9 June.
