How to Train Your Dragon: Who are the young actors Mason Thames and Nico Parker set to play Hiccup and Astrid

Live-action remakes are a trend that isn't going away anytime soon. The latest movie to get the treatment is the children's favourite How to Train Your Dragon. Upcoming actors Mason Thames and Nico Parker have been cast and will star as lead roles Hiccup and Astrid in the upcoming movie. 

The DreamWorks animated film is based on the books by British author Cressida Cowell. The story follows a young boy named Hiccup on his quest slay a dragon in order to be initiated into his Viking tribe but ends up befriending one named Toothless. 

The live-action of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ will be written and directed by Dean DeBlois. The search for lead roles took many months as it was reported they were looking for actors that 'could grow into the roles'. There are three films in the film franchise so these young actors may be very busy over the next few years.

Canadian actor Jay Baruchel originally voiced the character of Hiccup whilst ‘Ugly Betty’ star America Ferrera in the animated film franchise.

Mason Thames will take on the lead role as Hiccup. Mason may only be 15 years old but is already a well established actor; he is best known for his role as Finney in the horror movie ‘The Black Phone’ which also stars actor Ethan Hawke.

Mason has also appeared in TV series such as ‘For All Mankind’ and ‘Walker’ and is set to star in the movie ‘Boys of Summer’ with Mel Gibson.

Nico Parker will play Hiccups friend Astrid. The British actress also has a few major roles under her belt. For her film debut Nico played Milly in Disney’s live adaptation of ‘Dumbo’ directed by Tim Burton when she was just 14 years old.

More recently the actress played Sarah in the award winning TV series ‘The Last of Us’ alongside fellow Brit actress Bella Ramsay and Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal. 

Nico was destined to become an actress coming from a family already in the film industry; her mother is ‘Westworld’ actress Thandi Newton OBE and father ‘Mamma Mia’ writer and film director Oliver Parker. Older sister Ripley Parker is a writer for TV series 'The F*** It Bucket' due for release on Netflix later in the year.

Nico was recently named by Tatler as one of the next generation of actors to watch in their ’Bright Young Thing’ feature. 

Universal has announced the release date for How To Train Your Dragon will be March 14 2025 with filming set to begin this summer.