How To Train Your Dragon Live-Action Director Defends Nico Parker’s Casting

by

As a gamer with a rich background of immersing myself into diverse virtual worlds, I applaud Dean DeBlois for his stance on Nico Parker’s casting as Astrid in the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. The essence of fantasy lies in the ability to transcend racial and ethnic boundaries, fostering inclusivity and diversity within our fictional realms.

In response to criticisms, director Dean DeBlois clarifies that the live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon” is rooted in fantasy, rather than being grounded in “real-world history.

Critics have raised concerns over the choice of a Black actress for the role of Astrid, as her animated version was portrayed as White. However, director Dean DeBlois, who created all three How to Train Your Dragon films, has addressed these casting criticisms regarding actress Fiona Mae Parker.

What did the How to Train Your Dragon live-action director say about Nico Parker’s casting as Astrid?

On a How to Train Your Dragon Instagram page, a user noted that America Ferrera, who voices Astrid in the animated series, is of Latina heritage. Deblois then replied, posting his comment along with an Instagram post. He captioned it, “Nico Parker is fantastic! You’ll be impressed when you see her.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dean DeBlois (@dean.deblois)

Indeed, we held auditions for numerous actors to fill the roles, even those who closely resembled their animated counterparts. However, we ultimately selected the actors who most accurately portrayed the essence and character traits of our chosen individuals. This is because in this interpretation, the tribe is a blend of the offspring of the most skilled dragon fighters from all the places where Vikings had ventured (which historically encompassed a vast range, as Viking culture was richly influenced by various cultures). As DeBlois penned.

Although our work is more about creating an imaginative narrative rather than retelling history, everything will become clear in due course. We’re not intending to replicate scenes scene-by-scene, but we have stayed faithful to significant moments to pay tribute to the original, a project I take great pride in. The teaser you see contains some of these key moments. Instead of inventing an entirely new storyline, our goal was to enrich and expand upon it, while still preserving the beloved tale.

Alongside Parker, the live-action remake also features Mason Thames portraying Hiccup, Gerard Butler taking on Stoick the Vast, Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch, Julian Dennison in the role of Fishlegs Ingerman, Gabriel Howell as Snotlout Jorgenson, Bronwyn James as Ruffnut Thorston, Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut Thorston, and Ruth Codd as Phlegma.

Originally, How to Train Your Dragon was set to debut on March 14, 2025. But due to hold-ups resulting from the Hollywood strikes, the movie’s launch has now been shifted to June 13, 2025.

Read More

2024-11-22 20:40