Dragon live-action remake had 'all sorts of challenges'

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is currently being filmed in Northern Ireland, and it has presented a variety of challenges for the production team. The story revolves around a young boy named Hiccup who forms a friendship with a dragon named Toothless. David Cain, the film's producer, shared insights about the difficulties they faced during filming. One significant challenge is the size of the dragons. In the animated version, the dragons could be drawn to any size that was convenient for the story. However, in real life, a large dragon takes up a lot of space, which complicates the filming process. Gerard Butler, who plays Stoick, the Viking leader, expressed his excitement about the impressive sets they created for the film. He stated, 'Experiencing those sets that then are dressed and are lit and have torches on fire in the great hall, people get caught up in that energy and they believe in the story. ' This highlights the importance of the film's setting in bringing the story to life. Directed by Dean DuBlois, the film explores the themes of friendship and understanding between humans and dragons, set on the fictional island of Berk. The production team chose various locations in Northern Ireland, including Belfast and Dunseverick Castle, to create the world of Berk. Visitors to Belfast can easily spot the Viking village built for the film, located near the famous Titanic Studios. The towering Sampson and Goliath cranes from the nearby shipyards loom over the set, but they did not interfere with the filming of the dragons. David Cain emphasized that adapting an animated classic into a live-action film is no small feat. He remarked, 'You're trying to remake something that was loved and cherished and pay homage to the original and keep the original fans happy. ' This statement reflects the delicate balance the filmmakers must strike between honoring the original movie and introducing fresh elements to engage new audiences. The filming took place in early 2024, with significant time spent at Belfast Harbour Studios and Titanic Studios. The production team constructed many outdoor sets to take advantage of natural light and weather conditions, which contribute to the film's authenticity. One of the key scenes features Hiccup and Astrid, another character, having a heartfelt conversation on the rugged coastline of Dunseverick. This moment marks a turning point in Hiccup's journey as he befriends Toothless and challenges the long-standing conflict between Vikings and dragons. David Cain believes that Northern Ireland is making great strides in attracting major film productions. He noted, 'I think you now have a ground of talent in crew. ' This indicates that the region is developing a skilled workforce in the film industry. Additionally, he mentioned the growth of filming stages, such as those at Belfast Harbour, which will further enhance the area's appeal to filmmakers. Cain is optimistic that How to Train Your Dragon will showcase Northern Ireland's beauty and talent to a global audience. He stated, 'Northern Ireland has always had a good reputation with the Game of Thrones HBO stuff that's been done there and there's been numerous films made there. ' The film is set to hit cinemas on June 13, and anticipation is building for this exciting new adaptation.