How To Train Your Dragon Fans Are Divided After Director’s Latest Comments

by

Summary

  • Director DeBlois plans a faithful live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, mirroring the original animation shot-for-shot.
  • Fans are divided between those supportive of nostalgia and those advocating for fresh perspectives in the live-action adaptation.
  • Despite skepticism, the How to Train Your Dragon remake is poised for financial success, as nostalgia is a profitable strategy in the industry.

The eagerly awaited live-action transformation, or in other words, reinterpretation, of Dreamworks’ cherished animated series “How to Train Your Dragon” is yet to hit the screens. However, the unveiled teaser and trailer have successfully ignited excitement among fans.

Many fans are pondering not if the upcoming movie will be well-made, but rather whether it will maintain the essence of the cherished How to Train Your Dragon animated franchise while still offering something fresh. Given that long-time director Dean DeBlois is back at the helm, there’s a strong possibility it will be an authentic adaptation, yet not a carbon copy of its predecessor. However, some fans are wary of it becoming another instance of Hollywood rehashing ideas for financial gain instead of offering original content. Recent comments from Deblois seem to indicate that the movie might lean more towards being a faithful adaptation, which could stir both excitement and apprehension among fans.

The Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Script Differs From The Animation

…So Says Director Dean DeBlois

In a conversation with Brandon Davis on his Phase Hero podcast, available on YouTube, Dean DeBlois confirmed speculations about the movie. Specifically, he stated that they made only minor alterations to the original script of “How To Train Your Dragon”. This statement echoes DeBlois’ earlier comments at a press event held at Universal Studios. The revelation seems to have addressed concerns from some fans who had been questioning the remake.

I’m not particularly fond of the craze for transforming animations into live-action stories. However, Universal had the idea to revisit this tale that resonates with me deeply. If they plan to delve into this story populated by characters I cherish and a universe I hold dear, then I want to be involved in some way.

He went on to describe how this influenced his approach to the remake:

In our production, we aimed to replicate, in a similar fashion, the pivotal scenes that audiences associate with the original trilogy. To achieve this, we worked meticulously alongside our live-action team on set and carefully planned our camera setup to recreate those scenes as closely as possible shot by shot.

In the initial, complete trailer for How to Train Your Dragon, remnants of DeBlois’ influence can be noticed. Key scenes like Hiccup and Toothless’ inaugural flight, their first encounter, and even the ominous Red Death scene featuring the fierce dragon belching flames and seemingly set on destroying Berk, bear a striking resemblance to the original animation.

There is a Civil War Brewing Among The How To Train Your Dragon Faithful

“Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken” Versus “Fresh Perspective”

To date, DeBlois’ comments have sparked quite a debate among fans. On one hand, some fans are deeply rooted in nostalgia, appreciating his approach to the How to Train Your Dragon remake for staying true to the original story. On the other hand, there are those who are weary of live-action remakes and long for a “reimagining” or fresh take on classic stories. The loyal fans argue that DeBlois’ decision to stick closely to the original is satisfactory because it maintains fidelity to the original story. Meanwhile, the other side contends that reboots often don’t retell stories but rather water down the originals, arguing that if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.

How to Train Your Dragon is Still Poised To Make Money

Disney Remakes Have Been Profitable Despite Apparent Distaste for Them

Despite some fans being undecided, historical trends indicate that the live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon” is likely to achieve financial success. The tactic of appealing to nostalgia is well-established in cinema, consistently generating profits and attracting a wide audience from both old and new viewers. “The Lion King” remake from 2019 serves as the most recent illustration of this trend. An almost identical recreation of the original hand-drawn 1998 version, the photo-realistic animation received mixed reviews initially but ended up being a box office hit, earning $1.65 billion and holding the records for both the highest-grossing animation and remake ever. The live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” also proved successful, grossing an impressive $1.3 billion.

Studios remake old animation films for two main reasons: creating something original can be costly, and presenting familiar tales in a new light carries risk, which studios and investors seem reluctant to embrace. The reimagined version of Ghostbusters, however, strayed from the original script, facing harsh criticism from both casual moviegoers and die-hard fans of the franchise. Instead, they tend to favor established successes and cater to existing fan bases. Ultimately, filmmaking is a blend of storytelling and commerce. However, it doesn’t always have to be this way.

In simpler terms, Guy Ritchie’s 2019 remake of Aladdin stays true to its original story but adds new scenes and subplots like the Genie’s love interest and the fun puppet-Aladdin dance scene at a palace party. Similarly, Bill Condon’s Beauty and the Beast is not exactly a remake but it is based on the classic fairy tale and offers a good example of how to update an old story while staying true to its roots. Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman, also inspired by a popular fairy tale, can be seen as a great example of reimagining a classic tale. Despite mixed reviews, it was successful enough to prompt a sequel. The question remains whether a faithful remake of How to Train Your Dragon is the best approach or if it’s missing out on a chance for a fresh take. However, fans of the original animation are excited to see how this new version unfolds.

All Hope Isn’t Lost

As a passionate cinephile reflecting on the potential remake of “How to Train Your Dragon,” I, Dean Deblois, express my desire to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of the warrior’s mythology. The original work was merely the beginning; in this new iteration, I aim to unravel and expand upon the ancient lore that lies beneath the surface of these noble characters.

I intended to clarify their origins, the reason for their presence on the island, and what activities they were engaged in.

He also regrets not doing justice to certain characters like Astrid:

In the storyline, there were certain characters who didn’t receive enough development, Astrid being one of them. I would have expanded her character a bit more, giving insights into her background and motivations for aligning herself with Hiccup. This aspect could have been further explored to create a richer character experience.

In other words, for those advocating for change, DeBlois’ remarks about Astrid and Norse mythology imply that there will likely be several who agree.

Read More

2025-02-15 23:24