The co-creator of How To Train Your Dragon live-action adaptation was officially announced in 2023, which sparked excitement among viewers of the original animated film franchise. The cast features Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler as Stoick. The original animated film was released in 2010 and captivated audiences with its heartfelt representations of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.

In an interview with Screen Rant, Sanders, who is currently promoting the home release of his newest movie The Wild Robot, was asked about his thoughts on two of his most celebrated films, How To Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stich, being the newest to enter the live-action adaptations club. He discusses the challenges of honoring a beloved animated movie while bringing forth a new version. However, he is in full of director Dean DeBlois, who co-directed the animated original with Sanders. Read his full quote below:

I wrestled with this a little bit. I was doing an interview when they were doing The Lion King, and I know that Lion King, the more recent one, is very close to the original. It's nearly shot-for-shot in certain places. And when they asked me the question about that, it was like, “They didn’t really do a ton of new stuff in some ways, but then at the same time, I feel like the first film, we got it right, so I kind of liked that they stayed close to the first one in a way.”

So, I actually ping-ponged back and forth in my feelings about it, because I think if you're going to do a live-action treatment, there should be a good reason to do it. Maybe you can bring something visually to it that you couldn't before. A lot of these films were in the hand-drawn days, so the idea of getting something more dimensional in there could be really exciting, [with] more cinematic stuff. So I'm curious.

I know that with How To Train Your Dragon, Dean DeBlois, my co-director and co-writer on that project, is the writer and director on that. I think that'll be really especially interesting to see because he is the continuity between the original and this particular one. That kind of continuity, I think, might yield something really spectacular.

What Sanders' Comments Tell Us About The Remake

The Project Is In Good Hands

Sanders' comments reflect the ongoing conversation about the purpose and execution of live-action adaptations. The How To Train Your Dragon franchise holds a special place in the animation world. Famous for its stunning visuals, emotional storyline, and memorable characters, HTTYD has established itself as one of the most beloved and prolific franchises of recent times. Having DeBlois back at the helm assures some continuity, suggesting the adaptation will stay true to the heart of the original trilogy while embracing the new creative possibilities that live-action adaptations offer.

Sanders' comments point out that adaptation's success will be determined by how effectively it navigates the balance between nostalgia and innovation, bringing forth something new without diminishing what made the original special. While longtime viewers will expect to see familiar faces and stories, it remains to be seen if this adaptation will offer the audience a fresh experience, or if it will it fall into the trap of simply replicating the original with little new to offer.

Our Take On The Remake

It Could Be Something Unique

While Sanders recognized the need to justify live-action remakes, DeBlois' involvement hints that this one might find the right balance between nostalgia and innovation. Sanders' optimism about DeBlois' involvement is reassuring, suggesting that the live-action How to Train Your Dragon could bring meaningful additions to the story.

With live-action adaptations becoming a staple in Hollywood, this project has a lot riding on it. If successful, it could set a new standard for future remakes, proving that animated stories can successfully transition to new formats without losing their heart and soul. Whether the adaptation stays true to the original or deviates into new territory, viewers are in for an exciting return to Berk in 2025.