Why Is there a Live-Action 'How to Train Your Dragon'? Writer & Director Explains Decision to Adapt the Beloved Animated Film

The first How to Train Your Dragon live-action teaser trailer just debuted this week and there’s been a lot of talk!

While many fans are excited for the new adaptation, there are also others on the other side of that, wondering why there needed to be a live-action remake in the first place.

In a new featurette, writer and director Dean DeBlois, who also did the animated trilogy, opened up about why they revisited this story in a different format.

Keep reading to find out more…

“I decided to revisit How to Train Your Dragon because it felt like an amazing opportunity to not only direct a live-action movie but to be jumping back into a world that I frankly miss,” Dean said. “I missed these characters, I missed this world and I love movies that have a really poignant message buried deep within a movie spectacle.

“My hope is that those who had seen and loved the How to Train Your Dragon films will be keen to see what we’ve done because it comes from a place of love and it comes from a place of respect,” he added. “This whole thing is just one big giant adventure and I wake up every day feeling so thankful that I get to do it.”

How to Train Your Dragon is set to debut in theaters on June 13, 2025 – Watch the first teaser trailer here!

If you didn’t see, find out who is playing who in the upcoming live-action movie.

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