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Universal’s Live-Action ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ Lands With Mason Thames Returning as Hiccup
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Aug 13, 5:59 PM EDT

Universal’s Live-Action ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ Lands With Mason Thames Returning as Hiccup

Deadline reports Universal has greenlit a live-action sequel, with Mason Thames set to return as Hiccup for a release next year, after the studio previewed plans for the follow-up at CinemaCon 2025.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Universal is moving ahead with a live-action sequel to its “How to Train Your Dragon” reboot, with a second film titled “How to Train Your Dragon 2” scheduled to arrive next year and Mason Thames returning as Hiccup, according to Deadline.

Deadline reported that Universal first brought the idea of a sequel to public attention at CinemaCon 2025, before the first live-action remake had fully completed its run. The early announcement, Deadline said, functioned as a show of confidence in the franchise restart, with studio messaging tied to audience demand for the property and the momentum behind the reboot.

Deadline’s account also places the first live-action installment on a June theatrical window, describing the sequel as arriving after that first film. The timeline matters for families and theater operators because it suggests a deliberate pacing plan from release to follow-on, rather than waiting to judge the reboot after the sequel is fully drafted.

On casting, the sequel’s headline credit centers on Thames reprising Hiccup. The original animated “How to Train Your Dragon” character has been a key emotional anchor for audiences, and the decision to bring back the same performer for the next chapter indicates Universal intends to maintain continuity in tone and character portrayal across the live-action continuity.

Universal’s sequel confirmation comes amid a broader trend in Hollywood of extending established franchises through live-action remakes and follow-ups, often to leverage existing brand recognition while reintroducing the story for new audiences. Deadline’s reporting highlights that Universal moved quickly enough to announce “How to Train Your Dragon 2” while the first film was still in the near-term release cycle.

For audiences, the next step is the studio’s eventual lineup of official details, including supporting cast announcements, production updates, and a finalized release date. Deadline’s report focuses on what has been confirmed so far: Thames’s return, Universal’s sequel commitment, and the planned next-year arrival after the June theatrical showing of the first live-action film.

Why It Matters

  • A near-immediate sequel plan affects studio production schedules, downstream marketing timelines, and theater release planning for a family-oriented franchise.
  • Keeping the same performer for Hiccup suggests Universal aims for continuity in character interpretation across the reboot’s first two films.
  • Announcing “How to Train Your Dragon 2” before the first live-action remake’s full theatrical cycle can influence how quickly distribution partners prepare promotional resources.
  • Early franchise commitment can also shape expectations for future casting and creative decisions, since maintaining continuity often constrains later changes.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Universal has greenlit a live-action “How to Train Your Dragon 2” to release next year.
  • Mason Thames is set to return as Hiccup in the sequel.
  • Universal first announced plans for the live-action sequel at CinemaCon 2025.
  • Deadline reports the first live-action remake was set for a June theatrical release.
  • Deadline characterizes the CinemaCon-early green light as indicating major confidence in the franchise reboot ahead of the first film’s theatrical rollout.