The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved Dreamworks tale, How to Train Your Dragon, has found its leads in actors from 'The Last of Us' and 'The Black Phone'. Mason Thames from 'The Black Phone' and Nico Parker, known for her breakout role in 'The Last of Us', will don Viking helmets as they embark on the dragon-filled adventure as Hiccup and Astrid, respectively.

Nico Parker gained recognition for her portrayal of Sarah Miller, Pedro Pascal's daughter, in the debut episode of 'The Last of Us', as well as in Episode 6 titled "Kin." She is also the daughter of renowned actor Thandiwe Newton from 'Westworld'. Mason Thames, apart from appearing in Ethan Hawke's first movie as a villain, was also seen in Apple TV+'s sci-fi series 'For All Mankind'.

Thames will showcase his acting range as he interacts with the CGI character Toothless, the dragon, for most of his scenes. If the live-action adaptation follows the path of the original Dreamworks animation from 2010, Thames will also delve into some sensitive subjects. In the story, Hiccup is the son of a powerful Viking who is hesitant to follow in his father's footsteps and become a dragon slayer. His task becomes even more challenging when he befriends a dragon that is considered the most dangerous creature of all.

On the other hand, Parker will bring her enthusiasm to the role of Astrid, a whip-smart dragon enthusiast determined to excel in her dragon-slaying classes. If the live-action adaptation stays true to its animated roots, Parker's character will be involved in exciting action scenes as Astrid is usually the one taking the lead in dragon taming. With the evolving landscape of female representation since the original film's release, it is expected that the new adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon will not limit Parker's character to the "love interest" trope, an area where the animated movie had already made some efforts to change.

How to Train Your Dragon is based on a novel series by Cressida Cowell. The animated film series received widespread acclaim for its ability to handle darker themes and raise the stakes for its main characters. The franchise also spawned various animated series, with the most recent one titled 'Dragons: The Nine Realms'. In the original animated movie, Hiccup and Astrid were voiced by Jay Baruchel and America Ferrera, respectively.

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is scheduled for release on March 14, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for further updates and everything we know about the upcoming adaptation.