How To Train Your Dragon Fans React to Director’s Recent Comments: A Divided Community

Overview

Director Dean DeBlois aims to create a faithful live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon, closely resembling the animation in a shot-for-shot manner.
Fan reactions are polarized, with some supporting nostalgia while others call for innovative reinterpretations of the classic.
Despite doubts from certain quarters, the remake is anticipated to thrive financially, as leveraging nostalgia remains a lucrative trend in filmmaking.

DreamWorks is currently working on a live-action adaptation of the cherished How to Train Your Dragon animated series. Though the official release is still on the horizon, the recently unveiled teaser and trailer have certainly sparked interest among fans.

What’s at the forefront of many fans’ thoughts is not solely about the film’s quality—after all, the animated franchise has garnered significant acclaim, and director Dean DeBlois returns to helm this new project. Instead, the primary concern hinges on whether the film will serve as a faithful recreation of the beloved animation or succumb to the pitfalls of being just another underwhelming cash grab reminiscent of Disney’s recent trends. However, DeBlois’ latest statements indicate a commitment to preserving the essence of the original storyline, which presents both advantages and challenges in terms of fan reception.

How the Live-Action Script Compares to the Original Animation

Insights from Director Dean DeBlois

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In a conversation with Brandon Davis on the Phase Hero podcast on YouTube, Dean DeBlois acknowledged that the live-action script remains largely unchanged from the original animated version, a revelation that has stirred concerns among fans. During a press event at Universal Studios, he reflected on his mixed feelings about the trend of adapting animated films into live-action, saying:

“I’m not a huge fan of the animation-to-live-action trend. Universal wanted to revisit this story.[…] If you’re going to get into this story, which is full of characters I love, in a world I feel attached to, then I want to be part of it.”

DeBlois further elaborated on his filming approach, highlighting the importance of iconic moments from the trilogy:

“There are key moments that people see as iconic to the original trilogy […] We very carefully tried, with the live-action crew on our set and our camera set-up, to mimic those scenes almost shot for shot.”

This dedication to authenticity is evident in the recent trailer, showcasing scenes such as Hiccup and Toothless during their inaugural flight, and the menacing appearance of the Red Death dragon, nearly mirroring their animated counterparts.

Emerging Divisions Among Fans

“Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken” vs.“Fresh Perspective”

The reactions to DeBlois’ insights are markedly divided. A significant portion of fans is eager for a faithful visual experience, while others express frustration over what they perceive as unnecessary adaptations. Critics of the trend argue that such remakes often do not capture the essence of the original work, diluting it instead. This debate boils down to a classic dilemma: whether to preserve beloved elements or brave new interpretations.

Box Office Success Likely

How to Train Your Dragon promotional image

Despite the divide among fans, it’s important to note that historical trends imply the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is likely to perform well financially. Using nostalgia as a marketing strategy has continuously delivered successful outcomes, capturing both established and new audiences. A perfect example of this is the 2019 rendition of The Lion King, which, although received with mixed reviews, grossed a staggering $1.65 billion, solidifying its spot as the highest-grossing animated film and remake.

Movie studios emphasize remaking animated classics due to the high costs associated with creating original content and the inherent risks involved in presenting reimagined stories. A vivid example of a reboot that faltered upon veering from its roots is the Ghostbusters remake, which faced significant backlash from core fans. Conversely, studios tend to opt for established narratives that promise proven interest.

Films like Guy Ritchie’s 2019 adaptation of Aladdin honor their roots while introducing fresh elements, exemplifying value in both nostalgia and innovation—something that Universal aims to achieve in their live-action adaptation. Whether the new How to Train Your Dragon adaption is a prudent choice or a missed opportunity for greater storytelling remains an open question, but one thing is certain: fans eagerly await the outcome.

Potential for New Depth

When asked about his aspirations for the remake, DeBlois expressed a desire to delve deeper into the warriors’ mythology:

“I wanted to explain where these warriors came from, why they were there on the island, what they were up to.”

He also voiced regrets regarding underdeveloped characters, particularly Astrid:

“There were certain characters that were underserved, Astrid being one of them […] I would have given her a little more character depth and understand where she’s coming from and what she has to lose by siding with Hiccup. We’re really able to play into that.”

These reflections indicate that there will be some updates, as DeBlois aims to explore new themes while honoring the original material, offering hope to fans who yearn for depth and character development.

Source: Brandon Davis/YouTube

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