Live-Action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Director Responds to Astrid Casting Backlash

As a seasoned gamer and ardent fan of the How to Train Your Dragon series, I must admit that my initial reaction to the live-action remake was one of skepticism. The animated movies have been an integral part of my childhood, and I couldn’t help but wonder why they would tamper with perfection. However, upon seeing the first visuals of the live-action adaptation, I must say, it has piqued my curiosity.


DreamWorks, similar to Disney’s trend of producing more live-action films than animated ones, has chosen to reimagine one of its iconic series, How to Train Your Dragon. The first live-action adaptation is set for release in 2025, and we’ve been given a sneak peek at footage from the movie.

While discussing the rationale behind the live-action adaptation (considering an alternative could’ve been another animated movie given the show’s success), it is a reality we must accept. The early glimpses appear visually appealing, and we anticipate that the film will preserve some of the original animated series’ enchantment.

However, it seems that the upcoming movie has sparked some debates, with the main issue being the choice of actress Nico Parker, daughter of Thandiwe Newton and Ol Parker, to portray Astrid, one of the film’s key characters. Following the criticism, the director of the movie has released a statement in response.

Cressida Cowell initiated her “How to Train Your Dragon” book series way back in 2003; at present, there are a total of 12 books in the series, with the latest one being “How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury,” published in 2015. The first animated movie came out in 2010, and since then, DreamWorks has released two more animated movies and an animated TV show, collectively known as the “How to Train Your Dragon” animated universe.

It’s no wonder that DreamWorks wished to produce additional content from this successful franchise, given its status as iconic animations in contemporary cinema. However, the approach DreamWorks has chosen for the franchise recently… that’s definitely caught us off guard.

As a gaming enthusiast here, I’d like to share some exciting news about my favorite animated movie, “How to Train Your Dragon.” Instead of releasing a fourth film, DreamWorks has decided to give it a live-action spin-off, following the original tale and carrying the same title. This remake is set to hit theaters on June 13, 2025.

Naturally, given the circumstances, the selection of Nico Parker faced strong criticism since she doesn’t closely resemble the animated version of Astrid. This discrepancy seems to have been a point of contention for many fans. In response to this wave of criticism, DeBlois addressed the situation via Instagram.

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A post shared by Dean DeBlois (@dean.deblois)

In case you’re unable to see the post, here is what DeBlois said:

As a gamer, I can confirm that we went through numerous trials to cast the perfect actors for our game. We even considered individuals who resembled their animated counterparts. However, what truly mattered was finding the ones who could best capture the essence and spirit of the characters. You see, in this rendition, the tribe is composed of descendants from the bravest dragon fighters that the Vikings had ever encountered, a group that spanned across various cultures they had explored extensively during their travels.

Even though we’re creating an imaginative version rather than a historical account, all will be explained in due course. We aren’t attempting a scene-for-scene recreation. Instead, we aimed to pay tribute to crucial scenes from the original, which I continue to take great pride in. The preview includes some of these significant moments. Rather than telling an entirely new story, our goal was to enhance and expand upon it, while preserving the beloved narrative that fans have come to know.

Absolutely! While Nico Parker doesn’t share Astrid’s blonde hair or Caucasian heritage from the animated series, it’s all about casting a skilled young actress who can truly embody the role. We shouldn’t focus on physical appearance but rather the talent and ability to bring the character to life. Therefore, we wholeheartedly endorse Nico Parker for the part, and from what we’ve seen so far, she seems to blend in seamlessly!

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2024-11-22 18:14