Behind-the-scenes footage of 'How to Train Your Dragon' igniting multiple items in an exclusive clip
In the year 2025, the live-action remake of DreamWorks' beloved animated film, How to Train Your Dragon, premiered, captivating audiences with its authentic blend of practical stuntwork, visual effects, and a deeply committed cast.
**Practical Stuntwork and Puppetry**
At the heart of the production was the use of intricate three-dimensional puppets, led by Tom Wilton, who had previously worked on *War Horse*. These puppets, though not fully photo-finished, were designed to be highly expressive, with movable ear petals, mouths, and eyes, allowing actors to interact with the creatures in a genuine and believable manner.
VFX supervisor Christian Manz highlighted the importance of these puppets, stating, "When you have an actor who isn't connecting with the effect, you can tell." This approach fostered immersive performances, with Mason Thames, who portrayed Hiccup, embracing the physicality and nuance required to engage with the puppet dragons.
**Visual Artistry and VFX Integration**
The visual effects team followed a complex nonlinear design process, involving concept paintings, sculpting, animating, and reshaping multiple times. The goal was to create dragons that felt both realistic and respectful of the original animated versions. Manz and his team worked closely with director Dean DeBlois, who also directed the original films, to maintain the essence while enhancing realism. The animation team used the live puppetry movements and on-set interactions as references to create fluid, natural dragon animations.
**Cast Members’ Experiences**
The presence of the puppets helped ground the performances, giving actors a tangible point of reference. This collaborative energy was akin to performing with another actor rather than an invisible effect, increasing emotional authenticity. The filmmakers also retained John Powell from the original animated film for the score, enhancing the emotional atmosphere crucial to the actors’ connection to their characters and scenes.
**A New Era for How to Train Your Dragon**
The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon showcases real Viking versus dragon battles, featuring stuntwork and visual artistry to bring epic moments, such as Toothless' first flight and Viking battles with large armies, to life. Gerard Butler brings his brawn to the family adventure, and the film expands the universe with dragons, continuing the franchise's growth beyond Hiccup and Toothless' first adventure.
The live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon will be available on digital platforms on July 15, with the physical release scheduled for August 12. This incredible feat of filmmaking, presented by io9, is an amazing reimagining rather than a simple remake, distinguished by its comprehensive effort to blend legacy and innovation.
- Gizmodo praised the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, calling it an "amazing reimagining" that "distinguishes itself by blending legacy and innovation."
- Coinciding with the live-action remake's release, Entertainment Weekly published an exclusive interview with VFX supervisor Christian Manz, discussing the meticulous process of creating the realistic and expressive dragon puppets for the movie.
- Technology enthusiasts on Movies-and-TV, a popular online forum, were particularly fascinated by the thoughtful integration of traditional practical stuntwork with cutting-edge VFX, resulting in a memorable and immersive viewing experience for the future of epic adventure movies.
