Ever since DreamWorks announced Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid in the live-action remake of ‘How To Train Your Dragon,’ Parker’s casting drew heavy criticism as she is part Black while Astrid is a blonde Nordic girl in the original animation. Director Dean DeBlois recently addressed the backlash in a statement posted on Instagram.
“We auditioned many actors for the roles, including actors who looked like their animated counterparts. But we chose the actors who best embodied the spirit and personality of the characters, since the tribe in this version is made up of descendants of the finest dragon fighters from everywhere the Vikings had ever traveled (which historically was far and wide – Vikings mixed with many cultures),” DeBlois noted, replying to those saying a Black Viking is historically inaccurate. “Still, we’re crafting a fantasy, not historical fact, and all will be revealed in time.”
The first teaser trailer for the movie just saw release, featuring some exact replicas of key scenes from the original animated feature, which was co-directed by DeBlois and Chris Sanders. Many assumed the live-action adaptation would closely follow the source material, apart from the characters’ appearances.
The director made it clear, “We’re not making a shot for shot remake. We just struck close to key moments to honor the original – which I remain very proud of. The tease features a few of those moments. Instead of a completely new tale, we aimed to embellish and deepen, without abandoning the story that fans love.”
The teaser did not show Nico Parker’s Astrid. It instead focused on Mason Thames’s Hiccup, Gerard Butler’s Stoick the Vast, and Toothless, along with brief shots of other dragons.
The trailer’s visuals mostly received praise so far, but casting decisions continued to draw criticism. Some viewers also objected to Bronwyn James, a plus-size actress, being cast as Ruffnut Thorston.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ will see release on June 13, 2025, through Universal Pictures.
Photo Credit: Dean DeBlois – Instagram
