How to Train Your Dragon 2025: Director Dean DeBlois built a Viking village set in Northern Ireland for the live-action film

For the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, writer and director Dean DeBlois created more than just a story. In an interview with King5 Evening, the director revealed. He built a Viking-inspired village on chilly sets in Northern Ireland. DeBlois travelled to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Scotland to find inspiration. He then combined the best parts of these places to make a village that feels real and inviting. This helps viewers feel like they are stepping into the world of the characters.

DeBlois said, ¡°We flew around Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland,¡±. He further added, ¡°You gather all of these amazing locations, and you can meld them anyway you want, but the goal is to create a place that people want to be to spend time with the characters.¡±

Creating an authentic Viking world

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The actors enjoyed working on the real sets. Mason Thames, a young actor from Texas playing Hiccup, found out over Zoom that this role would change his life. Nico Parker, who plays Astrid, said the village not only looked real but even smelled real. The crew added the scent of raw fish from a fish hut to make the atmosphere feel true to Viking life.

Bringing the dragon Toothless to life took a special team of puppeteers. They studied animals like salamanders and panthers to give Toothless smooth and natural movements. Their goal was to make him seem fierce while ensuring that he also came across like a playful pet that the audience could connect with.

By building a real Viking village and paying attention to small details, DeBlois made this live-action remake stand out. It creates a world that feels alive and pulls viewers closer to the story.