The How to Train Your Dragon films have been one of the most beloved animated film franchises. The adventures of Hiccup and the emotional payoff with the final 2019 film was such a great end to the franchise. Universal is transforming the franchise into live-action with franchise director Dean DeBlois returning to helm the upcoming film.
Live-action adaptations of popular animated works have been a tricky road for filmmakers and not many have managed to do it right. The recent Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series was not received well by fans of the original. However, it seems the makers of the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon live-action film are trying their best to retain the identity of the core franchise.
Upcoming How to Train Your Dragon Film Will Stay True to The Franchise’s Core
Universal is coming up with the live-action adaptation of its beloved animated How to Train Your Dragon films. The film will see a whole new cast playing characters from the original films with only Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick the Vast. Julian Dennison, who plays Fishlegs Ingerman in the upcoming film recently teased what fans can expect from the film.
Dennison told Collider that director Dean DeBlois and the crew behind the film are trying their best to make a great film that lives up to the original. He further revealed the makers have made sure that the film stays true to the essence of the franchise and does not stray away too much with unnecessary changes. He said,
“They’re doing a good job, they’re making sure it’s done well. There’s a lot of heart, there’s a lot of feeling and there’s been a lot of conversations on set where they’re like, ‘Do we do this?’ And people have said ‘No, because the audience won’t like it’ and they’ve changed it, and they’ve done it. So they’re really staying true to what it is. So, I’m excited to see it. Yeah, it’s great.”
The recent Avatar: The Last Airbender series was slammed by critics and fans of the original animated series for changing core elements and deemed it a watered-down adaptation. The makers of How to Train Your Dragon are not making this mistake and are sticking to what worked for the animated films.
The return of DeBlois as the director is also a great sign and promises that the film will retain the integrity of the original film. It remains to be seen whether the film lives up to the hype and brings back the magic of the original films.
The Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Film Will Have Its Own Identity
Fans of the How to Train Your Dragon films are looking forward to the upcoming live-action adaptation film. Dean DeBlois is returning as director and the film will have an all-new cast. Nico Parker, who plays Astrid Hofferson recently revealed key information about the film and the approach that they are taking for the adaptation.
Parker stated that while the film will retain the core elements of the animated films, it will have its own identity. She claims that the film stands on its own feet and is having a wonderful time making it. She told Collider,
“I think it’s very much its own thing, but I’d like to think so much of that magic is also prevalent in this one. But I think it’s its own film, and it’s its own interpretation and everyone has their own version of a character. It’s important not to get too wrapped up, especially because the animated ones are so brilliant. It’s like, let’s not try and just do a play-by-play of that. And if anyone wants that, they can watch the animated ones. I think it’ll be wonderful, and if it isn’t, I’m having a wonderful time making it anyway.”
In addition to Parker, the film stars Mason Thames, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, and Gerard Butler. The film will be released in theatres on June 13, 2025. Fans can watch the original trilogy on Peacock.
