How to Train Your Dragon 2 Crew Member Seriously Injured in Workshop Accident During U.K. Production
A crew member working on Universal’s live-action sequel How to Train Your Dragon 2 has sustained a severe injury following an accident during production in the United Kingdom, according to information confirmed by industry sources.
The individual, identified as a special effects technician, was injured earlier this month in a workshop incident at Sky Studios Elstree, where the film is currently being shot. The accident reportedly involved a saw, resulting in the loss of multiple fingers on one hand. Despite undergoing extensive surgical procedures, the severed digits could not be reattached.
The incident occurred off-set but within the production environment, raising concerns about safety conditions in technical workspaces associated with large-scale film productions. Details surrounding the exact circumstances of the accident remain limited, and no official statement has been issued clarifying how the injury took place.
The film, directed by Dean DeBlois, began principal photography in February at the Elstree facility. This marks a shift from the first live-action installment, which was filmed at Titanic Studios in Belfast. DeBlois previously directed the animated entries in the franchise, as well as the 2025 live-action adaptation, and has returned to oversee the sequel.
The production features a returning cast led by Mason Thames, alongside Nico Parker, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Nick Frost, and Gerard Butler. Cate Blanchett is also part of the project, reprising the role of Valka, which she originally voiced in the animated films. New additions to the cast include Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and Phil Dunster. The film is being produced by Marc Platt Productions and is scheduled for release on June 11, 2027.
While the accident appears to be an isolated incident, it comes amid broader industry concerns about working conditions on film and television sets in the U.K. In 2025, the union Bectu issued a joint statement with Pact highlighting ongoing safety risks tied to demanding production schedules.
Their findings pointed to the impact of “broken turnaround,” a term used to describe situations where crew members do not receive adequate rest between shifts. According to Bectu, such conditions can contribute to fatigue, increasing the likelihood of accidents and near-misses on set. The union also noted that extended working hours have been linked to declining mental health among crew members.
Spencer Macdonald, Bectu’s National Secretary, previously warned that exhaustion caused by insufficient rest periods can directly affect workers’ ability to perform their jobs safely. Reports collected by the union indicated that incidents involving accidents and safety lapses are not uncommon under such conditions.
It remains unclear whether factors such as working hours or fatigue played any role in the recent accident at Sky Studios Elstree.
