The upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon (Trailer above) has sparked both excitement and heated debate. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who was at the core of the beloved animated trilogy, this remake aims to bring the Viking village of Berk and its dragon-inhabiting skies to life. With its scheduled release in June 2025, fans are eagerly anticipating a fresh take on the touching relationship between Hiccup and Toothless—but not without raising concerns about the transition from animation to live action. Such is the curse of most of our beloved animated movies I'll cite fate my beloved Dragon ball (lets not talk about it) as a reference, and the last airbender to name just a few.
What We Know About the Film
The live-action project revisits the original story of Hiccup, a young Viking, and his unconventional bond with Toothless, a supposedly fearsome dragon. This time, the stakes are described as "dialled-up," with photorealistic CGI dragons and a more grounded emotional tone expected to amplify the story’s intensity. Mason Thames (The Black Phone) stars as Hiccup, praised for embodying the character's vulnerability and awkward charm, while Nico Parker (The Last of Us) plays Astrid
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The production team, including DeBlois, has promised not to stray far from the heart of the original trilogy, emphasizing that this adaptation is about broadening the world for a live-action audience rather than reimagining it entirely
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So what was the Controversy
Not all fans are on board. The move from animation to live action often faces criticism, with many questioning whether such adaptations are necessary. Critics argue that the animated trilogy was already visually stunning and emotionally complete (I agree), making this new iteration feel like a cash grab rather than a creative necessity. Concerns about the visual portrayal of Toothless—one of animation’s most expressive characters—have also sparked debate. Can CGI capture the same depth of personality as the original animation?
Another hot-button topic is the casting and presentation of Berk’s Viking community. Some fans have expressed frustration about perceived historical inaccuracies (Astrid being a biracial girl instead of a blonde blue eyes white girl) creative liberties in terms of diversity and cultural representation. While others have pointed out that fictional tales of dragons hardly need to adhere strictly to real-world norms, the discussions have underlined broader tensions around representation in fantasy films.
Expectations and Hopes
Despite the controversies, expectations remain high. The live-action format offers an opportunity to explore Berk’s world with new visual grandeur and immerse viewers in a physically tangible environment. I'm particularly curious about how the dragons will look and move, with hopes that advancements in CGI will do justice to the original designs
Empire, hopefully they have a budget big enough to bring one of the all time great animated movies to like.
At its core, How to Train Your Dragon has always been about defying expectations—whether it’s a Viking befriending a dragon or an animated trilogy delivering cinematic brilliance. Whether the live-action version can rise to these lofty standards remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: it has sparked conversations as fiery as a dragon’s breath.
I for one an avid fan who has this movie as one of my top 3 is excited, but I'm an optimist so you might take my joy with a pinch of salt, I'm curious what you all think? let us know in the comments below!
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