The upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon has officially found its Hiccup and Astrid. Based on Cressida Cowell's book of the same name, Dreamworks' animated film How to Train Your Dragon premiered in 2010 to massive success, earning two Academy Award nominations. How to Train Your Dragon would quickly become a major franchise of its own, with two sequel films, five animated shorts, a television series, and a video game. In February, Universal announced that a live-action How to Train Your Dragon was in the works, expected to release on March 14, 2025.
In a report from Deadline, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon has found its two leads in Mason Thames and Nico Parker. Thames, who will star as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, is best known for his starring role as Finney in The Black Phone. Parker, who will play Astrid Hofferson, most recently appeared in The Last of Us as Joel's daughter Sarah.
Will How To Train Your Dragon Repeat Live-Action Mistakes?
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Dean DeBlois, who directed and wrote all three animated How to Train Your Dragon movies, is set to return as director, writer, and producer. The film will be DeBlois' live-action feature directorial debut. Alongside the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, DeBlois is also well-known for writing and directing Disney's Lilo & Stitch, which is also getting a live-action remake slated for 2024.
While there have been few details released about the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, it is expected to follow the same plot as the original 2010 film rather than introducing a new story. All of the dragons will be created with CGI, which has caused some concern online following mixed reception to other CGI creatures in fellow live-action remakes The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. With several beloved animated films having recently undergone the live-action treatment to mixed success, there is concern this latest remake will damage the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
Though there is a precedent for live-action remakes falling flat, the relative success of The Little Mermaid has proven that not all are destined for failure. However, with the third installment in the How to Train Your Dragon series only having debuted in 2019, there has been debate over whether it is too soon for a remake, particularly a live-action one. With casting for How to Train Your Dragon underway, however, the public opinion of the upcoming movie may still shift.
Source: Deadline