If you believed that the Isle of Berk couldn’t become even more stunning, prepare to be amazed as you explore it through the pages of The Art and Making of How to Train Your Dragon. In anticipation of the theatrical release on June 13 of the live-action adaptation, Collider offers an exclusive first glimpse into this upcoming companion book published by Insight Editions. This visually captivating volume is everything you would hope for and more. Authored by Jerry Schmitz (known for The Art of DreamWorks The Wild Robot), and featuring a preface by the innovative series creator Cressida Cowell, this deluxe hardcover spans over 200 pages. It serves as an exquisite treasure trove for dragon enthusiasts, brimming with concept art, on-set photography, in-depth breakdowns of production design, and insightful interviews with the cast and crew. In close collaboration with the director Dean DeBlois, the talented team at Insight has curated what may very well become the ultimate collector’s item for fans of DreamWorks’ cherished franchise.

The book’s cover art beautifully depicts Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Toothless sharing a poignant moment of connection atop a windswept cliff at sunset. This imagery serves as a heartfelt tribute to the story’s essence, highlighting the profound bond between a lost boy in search of his identity and his devoted dragon companion. Inside, readers will find exclusive concept art, interviews with the talented cast and crew, and behind-the-scenes photography that captures both the film’s emotional depth and its stunning visual artistry. A particularly notable character spread highlights Ruffnut and Tuffnut, the hilariously chaotic Thorston twins, portrayed by Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn. Their live-action representations maintain all of the signature chaos and sibling rivalry that fans have come to love.

Another spread shifts the focus to Julian Dennison as Fishlegs and Gabriel Howell as Snotlout. Fishlegs is characterized as the “lovable nerd” of the group, someone who is utterly fascinated by dragons and filled with a wealth of dragon statistics. The book emphasizes that Dennison, celebrated for his roles in Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Deadpool 2, brings an endearing sincerity to this beloved character, making him a true delight to watch on-screen as he shares fascinating facts about various dragon attributes. In contrast, Snotlout remains the overconfident loudmouth, but Howell’s portrayal adds new layers of depth to the character. The film delves into his quest for approval from his father, Spitelout, infusing a relatable sense of insecurity beneath his bombastic exterior.

Discover the Rich Content Inside ‘The Art and Making of How to Train Your Dragon’

Have you ever wondered how Toothless was brought to life in live-action? The Art and Making of How to Train Your Dragon offers an in-depth exploration of the animation and creature design processes, especially highlighting the expertise of veteran animator Glen McIntosh, who served as the animation director. McIntosh explains how the animation team drew inspiration from real-world animals—ranging from parrots and emus to snakes and lions—to craft dragon movements that are both enchanting and believable. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that each dragon felt grounded in reality, despite their fantastical designs.

“One of the strategies we employed was to attribute the characteristics of actual animals to each dragon species. The objective was to always anchor the dragons in realistic movements so that they would always ‘feel’ authentic and relatable, even if some aspects of their designs were imaginative,” he elaborates. The visual effects segment of the project was spearheaded by Christian Manz at Framestore, with a collaborative effort involving global teams based in London, Montreal, Melbourne, and Mumbai.

The talented composer John Powell returns to create the score for the live-action film, and one dedicated spread in the book highlights the emotional essence of the music. Powell revisits well-loved themes such as “Test Drive” and “Forbidden Friendship”, discussing his ambition to craft music that feels “like something new, but at the same time, it had to resonate with the existing themes so that audiences wouldn’t notice the subtle changes in the cues.” A breathtaking behind-the-scenes photograph reveals Mason Thames as Hiccup filming the now-iconic moment of first contact with Toothless, all while Powell’s score plays on set to capture the scene’s emotional authenticity. “I want the audience to enjoy a seamless experience with the music,” Powell expresses.