<Li> David Tennant as Spitelout, Snotlout's father . </Li> <P> The book series by Cressida Cowell began coming to attention to the executives at DreamWorks Animation in 2004 . Coming off her success in Over the Hedge, producer Bonnie Arnold shortly became interested in the newly acquired property . She kept focusing on the project as time went on, and when DreamWorks Animation co-president of production Bill Damaschke asked her what she wanted to work on next, she chose "How to Train Your Dragon". </P> <P> In initial development, the plot followed the original novel closely, but about halfway through production Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, the writer - directors of Disney's Lilo & Stitch, took over as co-directors and it was altered . The original plot was described as, "heavily loyal to the book", but was regarded as being too "sweet" and "whimsical" as well as geared towards a too - young demographic, according to Baruchel . In the novel, Hiccup's dragon, Toothless, is a Common or Garden Dragon, a small breed . In the film, Toothless is a Night Fury, the rarest of all dragons, and is large enough to serve as a flying mount for both Hiccup and Astrid . The filmmakers hired cinematographer Roger Deakins (known for frequently collaborating with the Coen brothers) as a visual consultant to help them with lighting and overall look of the film and to "add a live - action feel". Extensive research was done to depict both flight, as the directors knew they would be the biggest draw of the film's 3D effects, and fire, given animation could break away from the limitations seen in live - action films, where propane flames are usual due to being easier to extinguish . The dragons' design made sure to create animals that were comical and also innovative compared to other dragon fiction . Toothless in particular tried to combine various dragon traits in a black panther - inspired design, that also had large ears and eyes to convey emotion better . </P> <P> The directors made sure to cash in the improvisation abilities of the secondary cast--Christopher Mintz - Plasse, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig and T.J Miller--by frequently bringing them together in the recording sessions . </P>

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