Cast of How to Train Your Dragon 4 (2025): Actors List

DreamWorks Animation made a bold move when it announced the first live-action adaptation of its beloved dragon-riding franchise, and the casting choices tell their own story. Dean DeBlois, who wrote and directed all three animated originals, returned to helm this reimagining, assembling a mix of fresh faces and familiar voices.

Hiccup: Mason Thames · Astrid: Nico Parker · Stoick: Gerard Butler · Gobber: Nick Frost · Snotlout: Gabriel Howell

The table below lists the key cast assignments verified through multiple sources including Rotten Tomatoes and the Fandom Wiki.

Who is in the cast of How to Train Your Dragon 4?

The live-action remake brings together a carefully assembled ensemble that bridges the original animated trilogy’s legacy with a new generation of talent. The core cast was revealed in stages, with lead roles locked in first and supporting riders announced as part of a broader January 2024 reveal. Dean DeBlois directed and wrote the adaptation, bringing continuity from the animated originals that fans recognize immediately.

Mason Thames as Hiccup

Mason Thames takes on the central role of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the inventive young Viking who fundamentally changes his community’s relationship with dragons. Thames was cast alongside Nico Parker in May 2023, with both actors subsequently confirming their roles via social media. The casting represented the first major announcement for the project, signaling DreamWorks’ commitment to finding the right young talent for roles that carry significant franchise weight. Rotten Tomatoes confirms Thames as Hiccup in their official cast listing for the 2025 release.

Nico Parker as Astrid

Nico Parker portrays Astrid Hofferson, Hiccup’s fierce love interest and one of Berk’s most capable dragon riders. Parker’s casting ran parallel to Thames, announced the same day in May 2023, suggesting the production had locked in its two leads together. Astrid’s character demands both physical capability and emotional depth — she transforms from skeptical rival to loyal partner over the course of Hiccup’s journey, and Parker’s performance carries that arc into live-action.

Gerard Butler as Stoick

Gerard Butler returns to the role that defined his involvement with the franchise: Stoick the Vast, chieftain of Berk and Hiccup’s father. Butler voiced Stoick across all three animated films, and his transition to live-action represents a rare case of an actor reprising an animated performance in a new medium. The casting was announced January 5, 2024, and Butler has since discussed the experience of bringing the character to life differently while honoring what made him work originally. In interviews, Butler has mentioned the excitement around the possibility of Cate Blanchett reprising her animated role as Valka in any sequel.

Nick Frost as Gobber

Nick Frost joins the franchise as Gobber the Belch, Berk’s boisterous dragon trainer and Stoick’s close friend. Frost’s casting was announced January 11, 2024, placing him among the secondary wave of announcements following Butler’s return. Unlike Butler, Frost is new to the franchise, meaning his interpretation of Gobber doesn’t carry the weight of an existing animated performance — a different kind of pressure that comes with inheriting a beloved character.

Supporting dragon riders

The remaining main cast was revealed January 24, 2024, completing the core group of young dragon riders. Gabriel Howell plays Snotlout Jorgenson, the brash and competitive member of the group. Julian Dennison portrays Fishlegs Ingerman, bringing his distinctive comedic sensibility to the scholarly rider. Bronwyn James takes on Ruffnut Thorston, while Harry Trevaldwyn plays her twin Tuffnut — the comedy duo of the dragon rider crew. Ruth Codd was announced March 4, 2024, as Phlegma the Fierce, a newer character not present in the original trilogy. Naomi Wirthner’s casting as Gothi was reportedly confirmed via the director’s Instagram in the period following the May 2024 production wrap.

Who plays the villain in How to Train Your Dragon 4?

Official announcements had not confirmed a villain role by the November 2024 teaser release, leaving this as one of the more significant gaps in publicly available information. The animated original featured Drago Bloodfang as the primary antagonist, but it remains unclear whether the live-action adaptation will use the same villain, introduce a new threat, or follow a different narrative entirely. Peter Serafinowicz and Murray McArthur were confirmed as cast members around the time of the teaser, though their specific roles were not named. This ambiguity around antagonist casting contrasts with the transparency of the hero cast reveals and leaves fans with one of the film’s biggest question marks heading into 2025.

How does the live-action cast compare to the original animated films?

The casting strategy reflects an interesting tension: honoring the animated franchise’s legacy while making deliberate changes for the live-action medium. Gerard Butler’s return as Stoick represents the strongest continuity, with the same actor transitioning from voice work to on-screen performance. Most other roles went to new actors, a necessary approach given that the animated voice cast — Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid — were not considered for live-action equivalents.

Original animated cast highlights (2010–2019)

The original How to Train Your Dragon trilogy featured Jay Baruchel as the voice of Hiccup, a performance that defined the character across nearly a decade of sequels. America Ferrera voiced Astrid, bringing warmth and steeliness to the Viking warrior. Other key voices included Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fishlegs, T.J. Miller as Tuffnut, and Kristen Wiig as Ruffnut. Gerard Butler and Craig Ferguson reprised their roles in all three films, building continuity that the live-action adaptation has partially inherited. Cate Blanchett joined the franchise in the third film as Valka, Hiccup’s mother, a role Butler has indicated may see her return in sequels.

Key differences in the live-action approach

The live-action cast skews younger for the lead roles — Thames and Parker are teenagers, matching Hiccup and Astrid’s in-story ages in a way the animated films addressed through time jumps. This was a deliberate choice: earlier considerations reportedly included Jack Dylan Grazer for Hiccup and Auli’i Cravalho for Astrid before the production settled on Thames and Parker. The supporting rider cast also brings fresh faces rather than casting established adult actors, giving the ensemble a cohesive young energy that the original’s ensemble of celebrity voice actors didn’t attempt.

What to expect from the full cast and future sequels

The June 13, 2025 release date places the film squarely in summer, positioning it as a potential family entertainment anchor for the season. With principal photography wrapped since May 2024, the production moves into post-production and marketing phases where additional cast details — particularly around supporting roles and any dragon-centric characters — may emerge. Gerard Butler has publicly discussed sequel plans, suggesting the studio sees this as the start of a new franchise chapter rather than a standalone adaptation. His comments about Cate Blanchett’s potential return indicate the creative team is already thinking about connecting the live-action series back to the animated original’s cast for future installments.

When does the next trailer drop?

The November 19, 2024 teaser marked the first official footage from the production, offering fans a glimpse of the visual approach and confirming the cast lineup through on-screen appearances. Studios typically release a full trailer four to six months before a summer release, which would suggest a March or April 2025 trailer for a mid-June opening. This timeline also typically brings additional cast confirmations — character reveals, villain confirmation, and ensemble spotlights that fill in gaps from earlier announcements.

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Mason Thames leads as Hiccup with Nico Parker as Astrid and Gerard Butler as Stoick, while the cast exploration uncovers additional roles and behind-the-scenes facts.

Frequently asked questions

For franchise fans, the casting choices carry weight beyond simple name recognition. Gerard Butler’s return signals continuity with the animated era, while the young lead cast establishes the characters for a new generation. Whether the villain matches Drago Bloodfang, whether the dragon designs translate convincingly to live-action, and whether DeBlois can capture the emotional core that made the original resonate — these questions will shape how audiences ultimately judge the film. The confirmed cast provides a solid foundation, but the execution remains the variable that matters most when the lights go down in June 2025.