Universal Is Risking It All With Its How To Train Your Dragon 2 Decision

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Summary

  • How to Train Your Dragon 2 is in the works, despite skepticism.
  • Universal is taking a risk by announcing the sequel early.
  • Universal hopes for success, but potential oversaturation could be a concern.

The news from Universal Studios that a live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” will debut on June 13, 2025, initially sparked some skepticism among fans. Yet, they seem to be standing firm with their choice and have even confirmed that a sequel is also being developed.

As a devoted fan, I eagerly anticipate the upcoming live-action adaptations of “How to Train Your Dragon.” These films promise Toothless and other legendary dragons reaching new heights, but whether diving straight into a sequel is wise remains uncertain. There’s a fair amount of skepticism in the air.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 Is Happening Regardless Of The Original’s Success

Universal Is Taking A Shot In The Dark

At this year’s CinemaCon 2025, Universal stunned attendees by announcing plans for a live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon 2.” This is an ambitious step by Universal, considering the original film hasn’t even been released yet. The decision demonstrates significant faith in the first movie, but it could also be overly optimistic. With audiences already anticipating the sequel, this move is somewhat like taking a blind shot.

Those at the helm of the company have a vision for what the live-action will look like, but they can’t accurately predict its critical and commercial reception, despite their best guesses. That’s why they’ve taken such a daring step by announcing the sequel ahead of the first film’s release. Normally, one might expect them to wait until the first movie is out before making such an announcement, but their bold choice comes with high risk and a chance of failure.

Disney Has Proven Live Action Remakes Don’t Always Become Hits

Snow White Is The Latest Box Office Bomb

It seems like Universal is moving towards creating live-action versions of their famous animated films, similar to what Disney has been doing for quite some time. Examples such as the live-action “The Lion King” movies demonstrate how this approach can prove profitable. Yet, it’s important to remember that while there have been significant successes, there have also been substantial failures, which should give Universal executives pause before diving in headfirst. Choosing to adapt “How to Train Your Dragon” was a smart move considering its popularity and the suitability of its world for this format. However, even this doesn’t ensure that the remake will be a financial triumph.

Disney’s latest attempt at a live-action adaption was the version of Snow White, a classic animated film that has won the hearts of countless generations with its charming princess character. However, this modern take on the tale has struggled to gain traction at the box office and has underperformed significantly. This move by Disney was a risky one, and unfortunately, it didn’t yield the desired results. Given these circumstances, there’s a strong possibility that the upcoming live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, being Disney’s first foray into this genre, may face similar challenges. The decision to invest heavily in a sequel before the film has even been released could prove to be a risky move indeed.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 Might Not Be Wanted

Universal Will Be Hoping The First Movie Performs Well

In essence, there’s a possibility that by the time “How to Train Your Dragon 2” hits theaters, it may not be a movie many are eager to watch. If the initial live-action film fails financially, producing a sequel would seem like an unnecessary gamble since there wouldn’t be a built-in audience. Announcing the sequel might create anticipation among viewers, and pulling out if the first film underperforms could reflect poorly on Universal. However, if the initial live-action is a box office success, they could be hailed as visionaries. But should it fall short of that, fans might view this decision as a significant risk.

Despite the success of “How to Train Your Dragon,” releasing a sequel immediately could still be hazardous due to the possibility of overexposure. The original animated trilogy isn’t considered vintage, and since then, there have been theme park attractions, TV shows, video games, and more, ensuring that fans haven’t had a chance to truly miss this franchise. Universal has consistently been producing content for “How to Train Your Dragon,” given its popularity. However, this constant output could lead to audience fatigue, and remaking the same films in live-action might be the tipping point. The first live-action adaptation is expected to closely follow the original animated movie, though it’s uncertain if the sequel will do the same. Since there doesn’t appear to be any new content beyond improved visuals, there’s a significant risk that Universal could be overdoing “How to Train Your Dragon.

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2025-04-07 16:25