How to Train Your Dragon: Mason Thames and Nico Parker are cast for the live-action film!
Introduction
Universal and Dreamworks Animation have casted the lead characters for the upcoming live-action adaptation of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’.
Mason Thames and Nico Parker land the roles
The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Mason Thames, known for his role in ‘The Black Phone’, and Nico Parker, who played Joel’s daughter on HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’, will play the roles of Hiccup and Astrid, respectively.
The casting process
The casting process for these two parts took several months, as the production company wanted to find actors who could grow with their characters over what they expect to be multiple live-action films.
Who are Hiccup and Astrid?
Hiccup is the young and unheroic Viking boy who befriends Toothless, an injured dragon he nurses back to health. Astrid, on the other hand, is initially shown to have a disdain for dragons in the first film but comes to see the creatures in a different light over the course of the three animated movies.
Background of How to Train Your Dragon franchise
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is based on Cressida Cowell’s children’s book series of the same name. The first animated movie takes place in a mythical Viking village and grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide. It was followed by two more sequels, with the franchise spawning short films, TV series, video games, and more.
Dean DeBlois returning to write, direct, and produce
Dean DeBlois, who directed and wrote the three animated movies, will return to write, direct, and produce the live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie as well.
Release date and details
The release date for the live-action adaptation of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is scheduled for March 14, 2025. Production is expected to start in the summer of this year.
How faithful will the live-action version be to the original story?
Giving the original animated movies’ success and how the franchise has a massively loyal built-in fanbase, both Universal and DreamWorks plan to recreate the story faithfully.
The animation to live-action transition
With the adaptation from an animated feature to live-action, the challenge will be whether the movie’s essence can be translated to a flesh-and-blood reimagination style that resonates with viewers of all ages.
What to expect from the movie?
Fans of the franchise can expect to see familiar characters and some of the most beautiful portrayals of dragon flight and aerobatics.
Critical acclaim and success
Together, the three How to Train Your Dragon movies have amassed more than $1.6 billion, secured four Academy Award nominations, and a Golden Globe Award for the second chapter.
Will this live-action version also be as successful as the animated trilogy?
While it’s challenging to compare an animated trilogy to a live-action adaptation, with the popularity and success of the original movies, it is likely that the live-action version will achieve similar success.
Conclusion
The casting announcement confirms that the film is moving forward and that Universal expects the franchise’s built-in fanbase to embrace this live-action reimagination of the beloved franchise. With a talented cast and an experienced director and writer leading the charge, audiences have much to look forward to.
How to Train Your Dragon: Mason Thames and Nico Parker are cast for the live-action film!
The beloved animated franchise ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is getting a live-action adaptation. Universal and Dreamworks Animation have found their lead characters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the search for the perfect actors took months as the production team looked for actors who could grow into the roles as much as the characters themselves grew into maturity in the movie franchise. The process led to Mason Thames and Nico Parker, who will play Hiccup and Astrid, respectively, in the live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ movie.
Mason Thames and Nico Parker land the roles
Mason Thames, known for his role in Universal’s ‘The Black Phone,’ will play the role of Hiccup, while Nico Parker, who played Joel’s daughter on HBO’s ‘The Last of Us,’ has been cast as Astrid. Both actors will be required to grow into their roles over the course of multiple live-action films, according to the production team as they plan to keep the essence of animated movies alive in the live-action version.
Dean DeBlois returning to write, direct, and produce
The adaptation from animation to live-action can be a challenge, but with writer and director Dean DeBlois, who directed and wrote the three animated movies, set to return to write, direct, and produce the live-action adaptation, it seems the creative team is in safe hands. Production for the live-action adaptation is expected to start this summer, and the release date has been scheduled for March 14, 2025.
The animation to live-action transition
Moving from animation to live-action can prove risky and challenging, but with the popularity and success of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ animated trilogy, it is highly anticipated that the transition to live-action will be successful and hit with the audiences. The movie’s success will depend on how well the movie’s essence will be translated into a flesh-and-blood reimagination style that resonates with viewers of all ages.
Conclusion
The casting announcement confirms that production continues to move forward, and Universal expects the franchise’s built-in fanbase to embrace this live-action reimagination of the beloved franchise. With a talented cast and an experienced director and writer leading the charge, audiences have much to look forward to.
FAQs
1. What was the success of the animated trilogy?
The How to Train Your Dragon trilogy was a critical and commercial success, racking up over $1.6 billion worldwide, securing four Oscar nominations, and winning a Golden Globe Award for the second chapter.
2. When will the live-action movie be released?
The live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ movie is set to be released on March 14, 2025.
3. What was the casting process for the live-action film?
The casting process took several months as the production team searched for actors who could grow with their characters over what they expect to be multiple live-action films.
4. Who is Dean DeBlois, and what will be his role in the live-action movie?
Dean DeBlois, who directed and wrote the three animated movies, will return to write, direct, and produce the live-action movie.
5. What can fans expect from the movie?
Fans of the franchise can expect to see familiar characters and some of the most beautiful portrayals of dragon flight and aerobatics.