'How to Train Your Dragon' star Mason Thames admits that he "never thought I could be one of my childhood heroes"

Apparently, a key part in his casting was a past performance: "They had been through a bunch of hiccups. So Dean told me he watched The Black Phone on a plane, and then he was like, 'Why is this kid not auditioning for Hiccup? Let’s get him in the room.' It truly does feel like destiny in a way, and it’s so crazy that a little coincidence like that has changed my life. I am so grateful."

The rest of the cast includes Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur. 

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.

As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.

The animated version of How to Train Your Dragon came out in 2010, with Hiccup originally voiced by Jay Baruchel. The second film came out in 2014, followed by the third in 2019. 

"What Jay did is so incredible and so iconic, but I had to do my own thing. I still wanted to keep all the important characteristics that people love about Hiccup: his sarcasm and his wittiness. But I also wanted to explore something new about Hiccup — a darker, sadder and lonelier side," Thames revealed. "He’s been cast out by his village, and his father doesn’t accept him. Yet all he wants is to make his father proud and be accepted as a Viking. So getting the chance to explore a new side of Hiccup and show some new colors to the character was a lot of fun."

How to Train Your Dragon hits theaters on June 13.