Production on two major film and television projects in Northern Ireland has been stalled due to the ongoing writers and actors' strikes in Hollywood.
It was due to start filming at the Titanic Studios in Belfast.
Hollywood is experiencing two simultaneous strikes by both actors and screenwriters, over issues including pay, conditions and the potential use of artificial intelligence.
Northern Ireland Screen CEO Richard Williams said that he was "saddened by the delay in the production", which cannot proceed until the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strike is resolved.
"We hope for a swift and equitable resolution to the dispute for all parties, allowing USA originated projects to get back into production here," he said.
It was previously confirmed that TV series "Blade Runner 2099" would also be delayed because of the writers' strike.
Northern Ireland Screen, which has allocated millions of pounds in funding for both projects, said that it was "extremely disappointed" by the news and that preparations had been ongoing in Belfast for many months for the "Blade Runner" project.
It is thought the latest delay to "How to train your dragon" will affect hundreds of Northern Ireland based workers.
Negotiations Officer with broadcast union Bectu Angela Moffatt said that this has the potential to have a devastating impact on its members and the broader Northern Ireland economy.
"It’s not good news. A lot of people have been left high and dry, out of work overnight and are now scrabbling around trying to find alternative work," she said.
Ms Moffatt said that 75% of the crew due to work on the movie were based in Northern Ireland and that potentially "hundreds" were affected.
"The range of work is everything you’d expect from a film production; costume, wardrobe, cameras, hair and make up, the whole gamut of roles."
She said it was a really difficult situation for everyone concerned.
However, she said that there was good diversity in the film and tv sector in Northern Ireland, and that it was not solely dependent on US projects.
She paid tribute to Northern Ireland Screen, which she said had done a good job of attracting productions from a range of sources.
She also said the gaps the strike will leave in the production schedule in Northern Ireland could present opportunities for homegrown productions.
This is a point that Dr Derek Johnston, a lecturer in broadcast production at Queen's University Belfast, agrees with.
"It’s not an immediate and complete disaster, because there is still UK and European programme making," he said.
However, Dr Johnston said that the longer the strike goes on, the more likely it is to have a bigger impact on the wider economy.
He said the "general chatter" is that the strike could last until the end of the year.
During this time, he said that the industry here was likely to have fewer US based productions, but that "considering the quality of skills we have here, you would expect we will see more UK and EU productions to fill the gaps".
"But yes, there are going to be gaps, yes there are going to be pauses," he said.
Dr Johnston said that the US film and TV industry is a "global" one and it will have a global impact.
"It’s already having an effect here on the island of Ireland, but particularly on Northern Ireland studios."
He said that some productions will be unaffected.
"If they are not written by US writers, and not using any SAG-AFTRA performers, they should not be affected. Some may be able to move around production schedules, others will have to move production until resolved," he said.
Read more:
US actors' union Sag-Aftra strike: Everything you need to know
Sag-Aftra strike: What events could be affected around the world
Hollywood actors' strike action in Los Angeles affected by 'extreme heat'
Netflix shielded from Hollywood strike by global crew
In the Republic of Ireland, the potential impact of the strikes is still unclear.
Screen Ireland has confirmed that none of the productions it supports have been affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike to date.
It said it is closely monitoring the international situation as it develops over the coming weeks.
While Screen Producers Ireland, the body that represents independent producers in Ireland, said that because the situation is evolving and the duration of the strike is unknown, the potential impacts on the Irish sector are "still unpredictable".
It said that it is currently communicating key information with its members, including how they can apply for waivers to allow productions to continue.
