section_path: Production/Filming
section_name: Filming
paragraph_text: Filming
  
  Principal photography was originally scheduled to begin in July 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before it was postponed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. After the strike concluded, screen tests were set for December 2023, with plans to begin production in mid-to-late January 2024. Filming began on January 15, 2024, and wrapped on May 16. Bill Pope served as the cinematographer. DeBlois originally contacted Roger Deakins, who served as a visual consultant on the animated films, about working on the live-action film, but when Deakins declined, he recommended Pope to DeBlois. Production was done with heavy use of practical sets and was filmed with the IMAX format in mind. Many scenes from the original film were re-created shot-for-shot in live-action form, notably Hiccup's first encounter with Toothless.
  
  Principal photography was originally scheduled to begin in July 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before it was postponed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. After the strike concluded, screen tests were set for December 2023, with plans to begin production in mid-to-late January 2024. Filming began on January 15, 2024, and wrapped on May 16. Bill Pope served as the cinematographer. DeBlois originally contacted Roger Deakins, who served as a visual consultant on the animated films, about working on the live-action film, but when Deakins declined, he recommended Pope to DeBlois. Production was done with heavy use of practical sets and was filmed with the IMAX format in mind. Many scenes from the original film were re-created shot-for-shot in live-action form, notably Hiccup's first encounter with Toothless.