"How to Train Your Dragon" Rakes in 830 Million Globally in First Week and Tops 5.18 Million in Taiwan

Nico Parker, who plays "Astrid," and Mason Thames, who plays "Hiccup," had evident chemistry from their first script reading session together. Nico Parker said: "Mason was the last person I read with. When he started acting, I was immediately blown away; he perfectly embodied Hiccup, blending vulnerability and strength."
At the time, Nico Parker thought, "I hoped he would get the role even more strongly than I hoped to get mine." She added, "I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to be his Astrid, and I'm very proud of the work we created together."
All actors and stunt doubles in "How to Train Your Dragon" had to undergo basic training in boxing, falling techniques, and swordsmanship. Mason Thames's agile movements greatly impressed the stunt team as he personally executed perfect rolls and fight scenes but intentionally added some minor "blunders" to match Hiccup's slightly clumsy personality. Nico Parker also underwent intensive boxing training, performing many stunt scenes herself, including a high-difficulty wire stunt where she rapidly descended from 18 meters high during a battle with dragons.

Director Dean DeBlois also shared: "Creating a variety of vivid dragons drove every aspect of the production process. The key was to make the dragons' behavior look like that of animals we are familiar with. We drew inspiration from cats, dogs, horses, and other animals to create fantastical creatures that feel very real. Each dragon has a unique personality, and they all live in a real world. Our goal was to make the audience completely believe that these dragons are real, just as they believe the dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park' are real." The live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" is currently showing in Taiwan.