YOUNG LOVE IS MAGICAL: MASON THAMES

'I am a hopeless romantic at heart,' says the 'Regretting You' star as he gets ready for film's Dubai release

- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan

Mason Thames, McKenna Grace and director Josh Boone on the sets.

At 18, Hollywood actor Mason Thames isn't just playing the dream boyfriend on screen — he might actually be him in real life.

Best known for enchanting a generation in How to Train Your Dragon, Mason now steps into full romantic lead territory in his new film, Regretting You, and let's just say - Gen Z finally has its own Leonardo DiCaprio-in-Titanic moment.

In a world where most fictional teenage boys can't commit to a coffee order, Mason's character, Miller, is emotionally intelligent, loyal, and heartbreakingly gentle. And here's the plot twist: Mason insists that's exactly who he is off-screen too.

From McDonald's dates to reading romance novels to prepare for his role, this teen is out here reviving pure, old-school romance - and making viewers across continents fall a little bit in love again.

What follows is a refreshingly real conversation with Mason Thames, where the rising star talks grief, young love, emotional maturity and why the world is ready for nice guys to win again.