A crew member on Universal’s live-action sequel “How to Train Your Dragon 2” was seriously injured in an accident in a British suburb earlier this month, Variety reported.
The man, who is believed to be working as a special effects technician, had multiple fingers on one hand amputated in a saw accident at the Sky Studios Elstree workshop where the film is currently being made. Despite extensive surgery, the severed finger could not be reattached.
Variety has reached out to Universal for comment.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 is directed by Dean DeBlois, who directed all of the animated series and the first live-action remake in 2025, and began filming in February at Sky Studios Elstree, with changes from its predecessor, which was shot at Belfast’s Titanic Studios.
The film was once again directed by Mason Thames, with Nico Parker, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Nick Frost, and Gerard Butler reprising their roles from the previous film, with Cate Blanchett playing Valka, who was voiced in the animated version. Ólafur Dali Ólafsson and Phil Dunster are new additions to the cast.
Produced by Universal-based Marc Platt Productions, the film is currently scheduled for release on June 11, 2027.
The circumstances surrounding the “How to Train Your Dragon 2” incident are unclear, but last year British crew union Bectu issued a joint statement with the producers’ union agreement about health and safety concerns in film and television production. The organizations say their research has linked a number of safety risks to workers being asked to work beyond contractually arranged break times, known as “interrupted turnarounds.”
“Delivery disruptions impact the ability of workers to perform their jobs safely and effectively,” said Bectu State Secretary Spencer MacDonald. “The report to Bectu shows that fatigue, accidents and near-misses are all too common for many film and TV workers, and their mental health is also deteriorating.”
