Fantasy Live Action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (Universal)

[Airwings]

Tom Holland as Hiccup. Zendaya as Astrid.

Sarcastic casting aside, I have no issue with live action remakes. Even as a young kid watching Aladdin, I remember wondering what it would look like with real people. If I was an animation filmmaker, I'd be honored to have a live action remake of my work done. I see nothing wrong with it.

Lol at that casting. Too old.
I tried to think of an actor for Hiccup but couldn't come up with anyone. Then I found an online suggestion mentioning Aidan Gallagher. Holy s**t, that's a good one!!
I would totally support this choice, but I fear that even he is going to be too old for it when the filming starts. They have to look for someone younger.

I'm with you on the other topic. Since I was a kid, I've always dreamed of a good He-Man adaption that has actors playing all the different characters. How amazing wouldn't it be?
(the 1987 version doesn't count lol)
And even when I was a young man seeing Treasure Planet, I was thinking it would totally rock as live action.
No offense to animation but everything becomes a whole different thing with actual people at the screen. The characters become real (even if the setting is all cgi)
That's why we get all the live action films with superheroes these days. It's so cool!!!
I don't think that anybody (except only a handful of people) would want to replace all of them with animated versions.

 

[sueb1863]

Interesting! And also a bit baffling, what's the point unless they were going to base it more on the book, which isn't much like the animated movie.

 

[GreenKToo]

200 million dollar+ flop incoming.

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Sithborg]

Starting off right by pissing off the racists.

 

[Still Wynning]

Of course, nowhere to be found on the front of the Movie Reddit page. Whenever there is huge news of a person of color being cast in something, unless it’s somebody really established or someone they actually like, they usually never post it. I’m convinced the mods who run that page are a bunch of racist f**ks.

I’m still not sure about this live action adaptation. Unless they bring something new to the table and hew closer to the books, if they just do a straight up one-to-one remake of the animated film, then what’s even the point?

Then again, I’m always up for well-done, fun fantasy fare, which is kind of in short supply nowadays. The most recent D&D film definitely did that a bit for me. If it can achieve that, then I might be more on board.

I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what other news comes out about this.

 

[DarkKnight88]

This and Moana just feel too soon, but I guess we’ll see.

Dean DeBlois returning to remake his own film is also odd. But hopefully it’s a new take and not just the same story.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

Of course, nowhere to be found on the front of the Movie Reddit page. Whenever there is huge news of a person of color being cast in something, unless it’s somebody really established or someone they actually like, they usually never post it. I’m convinced the mods who run that page are a bunch of racist f**ks.

I’m still not sure about this live action adaptation. Unless they bring something new to the table and hew closer to the books, if they just do a straight up one-to-one remake of the animated film, then what’s even the point?

Then again, I’m always up for well-done, fun fantasy fare, which is kind of in short supply nowadays. The most recent D&D film definitely did that a bit for me. If it can achieve that, then I might be more on board.

I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what other news comes out about this.

Not that I agree with racists but...Astrid is Nordic/Saxon so this casting is weird. Sure you can argue it's a fantasy world but they clearly took massive inspiration from a certain part of the world with an obvious demographic.

Either way, just another needless live action cash grab.

 

[Sawyer]

Thames was great in The Black Phone. Only seen Parker in her episode of TLOU, but she did fine work too.

Dean DeBlois returning to remake his own film is also odd. But hopefully it’s a new take and not just the same story.

To me, DeBlois being the one taking this on is the most exciting part. If it were solely a cash grab on Universal’s part, there are any number of hired guns who would’ve jumped at the opportunity while DeBlois probably wouldn’t have been interested.

It’s possible that, in the long run, I’ll end up seeming too optimistic about this, but I have to imagine DeBlois is putting a lot of thought into how best to bring this into a new medium.

 

[CB Fan]

Starting off right by pissing off the racists.

Hmm who do they root for if Universal is deemed “woke”? They were putting all their chips on Universal to demolish Disney and it’s “wokeness”.

 

[Sithborg]

Not that I agree with racists but...Astrid is Nordic/Saxon so this casting is weird. Sure you can argue it's a fantasy world but they clearly took massive inspiration from a certain part of the world with an obvious demographic.

Either way, just another needless live action cash grab.

And that is why a lot of viking/nordic stuff is co-opted by actual Nazis. So, you will understand if I really, really do not give a **** about 'accuracy'. Trust me, the real game in Forged in Fire is "Spot the racist".

 

[Arachnerd]

I could not care less about the casting for this movie just as long as the parts are played well. I liked Nico Parker in the Last Of Us show and I could see her being a good Astrid, so we'll see how it goes. Still cautious regarding live-action remakes of animated movies, though I supposed they could make this adaptation closer to the books.

Also, what I'm about to say next might come across as somewhat controversial on here and hopefully this doesn't come off the wrong way, but I think some of you guys might just be a tad too bothered/giddishly eager to decry the racist criticisms? Not that they shouldn't be criticized, but it wasn't the first thing on my mind when finding out about this news I guess. Just kind of seems like a Twitter reactionary-esque mentality to me when you're prioritizing something like that over discussing what these performances might be like and what differences there might be in this remake. Derogatory comments against Nico Parker would best be ignored and eye-rolled at, I think it should obviously go without saying.

I do wonder who they could cast to play the adults though. Not gonna lie, I would not be opposed to them sneaking a Craig Fergurson cameo in there.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

And that is why a lot of viking/nordic stuff is co-opted by actual Nazis. So, you will understand if I really, really do not give a **** about 'accuracy'. Trust me, the real game in Forged in Fire is "Spot the racist".

So people that have their heritage be Nordic/Viking can be ignored because a bunch of *******s weirdly like that stuff too? My girlfriend has Scottish roots that has a lot of the same Celtic imagery that some of those losers like to use, should she stop wanting to connect with it, or want it represented on screen, because of it?

It's like my own crusade against right wing ********s using the Punisher skull since I have it tattooed cause, you guessed it, I like the character. They don't get to ruin it.

YOU may not give a **** about accuracy but some people with actual Nordic/Celtic roots would like to see a different side of its mythology represented in a fun way that can reach a larger audience.

This type of casting goes to show that Hollywood simply doesn't know how to cast without making a silly misstep, the Lilo and Stitch movie barely cast any actual Native Hawaiian actors and now you have a Nordic movie with people that probably aren't such either. Like I said, the casting is simply weird to me, I wouldn't watch it cause I love the animated movies, but this instance I can understand why some would be annoyed with it, and it isn't rooted in racism, while also noting that some of the criticism is most obviously rooted in in it.

Again, none of it really matters anyway because the film series is perfect as is, so this is such a dumb thing to remake.

I could not care less about the casting for this movie just as long as the parts are played well. I liked Nico Parker in the Last Of Us show and I could see her being a good Astrid, so we'll see how it goes. Still cautious regarding live-action remakes of animated movies, though I supposed they could make this adaptation closer to the books.

Also, what I'm about to say next might come across as somewhat controversial on here and hopefully this doesn't come off the wrong way, but I think some of you guys might just be a tad too bothered/giddishly eager to decry the racist criticisms? Not that they shouldn't be criticized, but it wasn't the first thing on my mind when finding out about this news I guess. Just kind of seems like a Twitter reactionary-esque mentality to me when you're prioritizing something like that over discussing what these performances might be like and what differences there might be in this remake. Derogatory comments against Nico Parker would best be ignored and eye-rolled at, I think it should obviously go without saying.

I do wonder who they could cast to play the adults though. Not gonna lie, I would not be opposed to them sneaking a Craig Fergurson cameo in there.

She was fantastic as Sarah and I totally bought her relationship as Joel's daughter, she just doesn't scream Astrid to me.

 

[Sithborg]

One fun thing I learned with Frozen, is that the nordic countries, not as white as you may think. The Kristoff situation was a real minor blip, because, again, most people think that that area is white as white can be. Something they luckily tried to fix in the sequel. So, are you demanding actual historical accuracy, or just what you imagine is accurate?

Also, very, very, very big difference between norse iconography and how its used, vs celtic. Celtic may see some stuff co-opted by white supremacists, but the most I see is more along wicca/pagan stuff.

And yes, the Punisher should be buried for as long as trademark law allows. Much like how the OK sign is no longer something you should do, sometimes, things get corrupted and can't be saved.

 

[Kurenai]

Part 1

Idk what it is about castings that just makes me want to find a forum and finally start discussing the project; so here I am.

I don't really have an attachment to HTTYD to have been for or against a live action adaptation even if I did enjoy the franchise, but I like the fact that the director is the same and that Universal seems confident in the project.

Idk if the studio went to Deblois or if Deblois went to the studio with this idea, if it's the former, I hope he agreed b/c this is a passion project, I don't want Deblois to have burnout on this IP that is gonna be a franchise in another medium. I am happy that a project that he was so involved in is gonna help usher him into his live action debut as a director, so I hope he succeeds in this venture into another medium.

I'm very curious if the writers strike will affect the production, they seem far enough along, but you never know what might need changes, and I know that the WGA and DGA were/are clashing over directors making minor script changes so as the director and writer, I wonder where Deblois would fall into that and what he can or can't get away with.

I just hope that this isn't a one-to-one adaptation, I would really like it if each medium of HTTYD is unique in its own way so you can get a different experience from each of them.

 

[Kurenai]

Part 2

Onto casting, I like it.

I can a see a bit of physical similarity with Mason and Hiccup, I haven't watched anything he's in so I don't have anything to judge him on, but I hope he does the character justice. I am surprised that Mason is 15, usually Hollywood will cast someone 17 or 18+ who just looks young (like Nico) unless it's necessary or b/c they want to. So I'll be interested to see how old the actors portraying the other young characters are and how Mason measures up against his peers.

As for the Astrid casting, Nico Parker is a wonderful young actress who I am rooting for and I was hoping she would be a major part of a franchise, so this is good news to me.

There really shouldn't be any complaints about this casting:

1. If you don't like the idea of a HTTYD live action movie, why even care about the casting or anything that happens to this side of the IP.

2. No character has been racebent, can you really say that someone who's 2/3rds white is not white enough to portray a white character.

(I'm kind of serious b/c Astrid really could still be white in this adaptation, but if not I'll be interested to see what they've done with Astrid's background.)

3. Unless the Viking/Nordic complaints include Mason and the other future castings who will more than likely also not be of Nordic descendant, I'm not taking it seriously.

Anyway, like I stated before I am excited to see the rest of the casting and I hope this live action is the right step for Universal.

 

[Arachnerd]

And yes, the Punisher should be buried for as long as trademark law allows. Much like how the OK sign is no longer something you should do, sometimes, things get corrupted and can't be saved.

I'm sorry, but I severely disagree with everything you've said here. No one should be shamed or looked down upon for liking the Punisher if they don't possess toxic traits. This is how gross generalizations are developed and lord knows there's enough of that unnecessary crap on the Internet. This type of extremist mentality helps no one and furthers alienates people who don't deserve to be alienated.

And for me personally, and you might not like what I'm about to say, but I used the okay emote before it was culturally appropriated by fascists, and still use it to this day on occasion when speaking to folks online. So far no one's had an issue with it. Now, that doesn't mean I'm using it in the derogatory sense, but in context as a synonym of the thumbs up emote which was always the original intent. I don't intend on giving power or attention to those who tried to paint it as a hate symbol.

I don't want to go too off-topic with this kind of discussion, so I'll leave it here. I do hope this remake does end up being something good, but I will remain cautious since the vast majority of live-action Disney remakes have been soulless trash to me.

 

[Drizzle]

And yes, the Punisher should be buried for as long as trademark law allows. Much like how the OK sign is no longer something you should do, sometimes, things get corrupted and can't be saved.

Banning certain symbols that had a negative connotation from the start like the Confederate flag is one thing but I disagree with just letting horrible people take ownership of something that didn't originally have a negative connotation that was never theirs to begin with. That means they've won.

 

[LoganPool]

Love the casting so far... Even though I've never heard of either of them. lol

Much like how the OK sign is no longer something you should do, sometimes, things get corrupted and can't be saved.

What did I miss??? How did the OK sign get corrupted??

 

[DarkKnight88]

As someone who had to look up the OK sign just now, I’d have to think 95% of the population has no idea that it’s some kind of hate speech from a vocal minority. Seriously.

Besides, it’s in one of my favorite scenes in Beverly Hills Cop is what I think of lol

 

[Erzengel]

I didn't even know the okay sign was being used by white supremacists. I looked it up and there were articles when this might have been a thing in 2019, but nothing new recently?

 

[superion]

Not that I agree with racists but...Astrid is Nordic/Saxon so this casting is weird. Sure you can argue it's a fantasy world but they clearly took massive inspiration from a certain part of the world with an obvious demographic.

The casting for Astrid was predictable once they decided not to make changes with the main character. No one should be surprised. It's a play book at this point.

 

[scarlet-witch]

I'm very attached to the animated movies, so I expect this to feel as dull as the majority of the live action Disney films do, but unlike them, it's not going to make a ton of money.

I'm not sure what market they're going for her. Does Gen Z stan HTTYD? I was an adult when the films came out, but I had a lot of love for them (and John Powell's perfect score) and my own kids liked them too, but they're still little and they had 3 movies and 6 seasons of a TV show of Dragons. They're not over here going "more Dragons!"

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Pennywise]