Gerard Butler To Kick Off Global Press Tour For How To Train Your Dragon In Riyadh This May

Riyadh will host the first stop of the international press tour for How to Train Your Dragon, the live-action adaptation of DreamWorks Animation’s beloved film franchise, with actor Gerard Butler set to arrive in the Kingdom this May to launch the promotional campaign.

Butler, the only actor to reprise his role from the original animated trilogy, returns as Stoick the Vast and will meet regional media in Riyadh to offer an exclusive glimpse into the highly anticipated cinematic reimagining of the animated classic which captivated audiences around the world.

How to Train Your Dragon is directed by three-time Oscar^® nominee Dean DeBlois, the filmmaker behind the original animated trilogy, and brings the epic Viking tale to life with a new cast and breathtaking live-action visuals. The film blends emotional storytelling, fantastical world-building and jaw-dropping realism, and is slated for regional release on 12 June 2025.

Riyadh’s role as the launch city for the global press tour underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing position as a key player in the international entertainment and film landscape.

The localized trailer can be viewed here.

ABOUT HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

From three-time Oscar^® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise.

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) 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 film also stars Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones).

How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by four-time Oscar^® nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns). How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX^® Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX^® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world. 

Inspired by Cressida Cowell’s New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise has captivated global audiences, earning four Academy Award^® nominations and grossing more than $1.6 billion at the global box-office. Now, through cutting-edge visual effects, DeBlois transforms his beloved animated saga into a breathtaking live-action spectacle, bringing the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life with jaw-dropping realism as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny.