Filming begins in Northern Ireland for live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon

It's lights, camera, action at Titanic Studios as the latest film blockbuster gets underway.

The highly-anticipated live-action remake of the popular Dreamworks animated film 'How To Train Your Dragon' has officially started filming in Northern Ireland.

The adaptation of the 2010 animation of the same name had been preparing for filming in Belfast in July when the SAG-AFTRA strike began and caused production to be halted.

Read more: Films and shows filmed in NI to keep an eye out for in 2024

The movie follows Hiccup, an undersized teen wishing to become a dragon slayer like the other Vikings and his journey with a dragon he names Toothless.

The original animated film was released 14 years ago, with a sequel following back in 2014 and the final film, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, released in 2019.

The series is loosely based on a series of children's books written by British author Cressida Cowell with the same name.

Only four members of the main cast have been announced so far which includes Gerard Butler as Stoick, Nick Frost as Gobber, Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid

How to Train Your Dragon will be produced by Marc Platt Productions and distributed by Universal Pictures, with original director Dean DeBlois returning to write and direct the new adaptation.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, Deblois confirmed that the shoot had began, sharing a photo from set ready to begin.

He said: "First day of the shoot!

"We’re all excited to get underway," tagging the young lead Mason Thames in the post.

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