There are plenty of reasons why How To Train Your Dragon has endured as a generation’s animated coming-of-age saga – beyond the gorgeous music, those colourful dragons, and all that enticing lore, the bond between human kid Hiccup and deeply adorable ‘Night Fury’ dragon Toothless is – and always has been – pure magic. Now, that relationship is being explored again in live-action, 15 years after the arrival of the original film, with The Black Phone’s Mason Thames in the Hiccup role, and Toothless being played by… well, Toothless.

While those protective of the original might be worried about this sacred text falling into the wrong hands, director Dean DeBlois (who oversaw the entire animated trilogy) is helming here. And it looks like many of the story’s most pivotal moments are being presented faithfully – though with the added fidelity of photorealistic textures, new casting, and the delights of the Isle Of Berk brought to life. DeBlois also provides the script here, with Gerard Butler reprising the role of Hiccup’s father Stoick, and Nico Parker stepping into the role of Astrid.

Stay tuned for a trailer breakdown interview with Dean De Blois coming soon to EmpireOnline.com – and catch How To Train Your Dragon in UK cinemas from 13 June.