Serious accident halts How to Train Your Dragon 2 production at Sky Studios
A crew member on Universal's live-action sequel "How to Train Your Dragon 2′′ has suffered a severe injury following an accident that occurred off-set in the U.K. earlier this month, Variety understands.
The individual, understood to be working as a special effects technician, severed multiple fingers on one hand during an incident involving a saw in a workshop at Sky Studios Elstree, where the film is currently in production. Despite extensive surgery, the severed digits were not able to be reattached.
Variety has reached out to Universal for comment.
"How to Train Your Dragon 2," being directed by Dean Deblois - who helmed all the franchise's animated features and 2025's first live-action remake - began shooting in Sky Studios Elstree in February, marking a change from the first which was filmed at Belfast's Titanic Studios.
The film is once again led by Mason Thames, with Nico Parker Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Nick Frost and Gerard Butler also reprising their roles from the first film and Cate Blanchett playing Valka, who she voiced in the animated features. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and Phil Dunster are among the new casting additions.
Produced by Universal-based Marc Platt Productions, it's currently scheduled for a June 11, 2027 release date.
While the circumstances around the "How to Train Your Dragon 2′′ accident are unclear, last year the U.K.'s crew member union Bectu issued a joint statement with the producer's union Pact about health and safety concerns on film and TV productions. According to the two entities, their research linked many safety risks to workers being asked to work beyond contractually negotiated rest periods, known as "broken turnaround."
"Breaking turnaround impacts workers' ability to do their job safely and effectively," said Bectu National Secretary Spencer Macdonald. "Reports to Bectu indicate that exhaustion, accidents and near-misses are all too common, as well as poor mental health for many film and TV workers."
