Universal Pictures announced that it is currently in the process of developing a live-action film adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon based on DreamWorks’ award-winning animated franchise. The project has been set to make its debut in theaters on March 14, 2025.
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie will be written and directed by the original animated trilogy’s filmmaker Dean DeBlois, who’s also known for his work on Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. The project will be overseen by Lexi Barta for Universal Pictures, with DeBlois also set as a producer.
“For more than a decade, DreamWorks Animation’s epic animated film trilogy about the friendship between a young man and his dragon has moved, inspired, and delighted audiences worldwide,” said Universal in a statement. “Now, a new live-action adaptation of the blockbuster How to Train Your Dragon franchise will transport audiences for the first time into a new cinematic experience and a bold, thrilling new chapter in the beloved story of Viking Hiccup and his Night Fury dragon, Toothless.”
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is based on Cressida Cowell’s children’s book series of the same name. The story centered around Hiccup, a young aspiring inventor who wants to make his Viking father proud by becoming a dragon slayer. However, things doesn’t go as planned, as Hiccup finds himself unexpectedly forming a bond with a Night Fury dragon. Following the success of the 2010 film, it was followed by two more sequels which all received critical acclaim in multiple Oscar nominations including Best Animated Feature.
The animated films featured the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Cate Blanchett, Kit Harington, and more. The franchise is a box office success with a combined worldwide gross of over $1.6 billion.
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