Dean Deblois Justifies Why He Agreed to a Live-Action Remake for ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ With a Catch

Published 11/22/2024, 1:56 AM EST

Throughout a decade, Dean DeBlois explored the coming-of-age trilogy with How To Train Your Dragon, marking a milestone within animation. Stepping beyond the blockbuster realm, the trilogy explored a fascinating fantasy world centered on the bond between a boy and his dragon. However, with How To Train Your Dragon transitioning to a live-action of the first film, many keep questioning whether the remake is even necessary.

While concerns arise from the all-too-common fear of remakes falling short, DeBlois reassures fans that this version is far from the usual formulaic rehashes they have seen before.

Dean DeBlois opens up about How To Train Your Dragon's live-action remake

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According to HTTYD Live Action News on X, Dean DeBlois was asked by a fan on Instagram why he remade How To Train Your Dragon in live-action. Though he called it Universal Pictures’ desire, DeBlois added, “If they were going to do it, I wanted to make sure that it was done right.” The filmmaker also talked about the film in a behind-the-scenes first look at the reimagination of How To Train Your Dragon.

DeBlois said his revisitation depended a lot on the potential of the opportunity, but even more importantly he was drawn to the idea of revisiting the world he “frankly” missed. While it may have been the studio’s call to leap into the sphere of live-action, DeBlois assures it is anything, but a shot-to-shot remake of the original. This already amps up the excitement for the 2025 release, with the recently released official teaser providing full backing.

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DeBlois, however, also shared plans to raise the bar for live-action with How To Train Your Dragon.

Dean DeBlois is set to redefine live-action remakes with How To Train Your Dragon

Hollywood has seen several reimaginations, and often more than not, most have fallen flat on the floor. But in a conversation with the Empire, Dean DeBlois expressed his true visions with this leap. “It’s so dialed-up in terms of stakes—having a fully credible, photo-real dragon stomping around trying to kill him,” DeBlois reflected with glittery eyes. It is, of course, a scenic shift but also an emotional and physical overhaul of the story.

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While shifting from animation to live-action inevitably changes the dynamics of the film, the real human touch sets the fantasy score apart. Praising Mason Thames for tapping the role of Hiccup with all the “oddballs” the character represents, the director wanted to make the story as universal as it could get with the same amount of warmth the trilogy brought. Hence, if How To Train Your Dragon lives up to it remains to be seen when the movie hits the theaters next year.

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What do you think of Dean DeBlois' revelations about making How To Train Your Dragon live-action remake? Let us know in the comments below!

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Anushka Bhattacharya

1550 articles

I'm Anushka Bhattacharya, an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. Armed with a degree in literature, I once wielded my words to catalyze change within society through my work with NGOs. However, as I stumbled into the exuberant hole of crime thrillers and documentaries on Netflix, it was love at first sight and pushed me into entertainment journalism.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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