After two successful sequels, the franchise is now being converted tolive-action, a la Disney.
Although the movie is sure to be popular, some backlash is almost inevitable.
The only problem is its premature casting controversy.
The main issue seems to be the casting of Nico Parker as Astrid.
Some have gone so far as to claim that Parker’s casting is cultural appropriation.
DeBlois has responded to these critiques by noting thatHow to Train Your Dragonis fantasy, not history.
The backlash against Parker’s casting is not anything new in Hollywood.
In the last few years, many remakes and adaptations have changed the race of certain characters.
In 2014, Quvenzhane Wallis played the iconic red-haired orphan Annie, and many viewers disliked this change.
How to Train Your Dragon, set on the Viking island of Berk, follows Hiccup, a young Viking who challenges tradition by befriending a Night Fury dragon named Toothless. Their bond reveals new insights about dragons and transforms Viking society’s understanding of these creatures.
It seems like this pop in of debate will not be going away any time soon.
As DeBlois explained on Instagram, Vikings were nomadic and traveled far and wide.
In this way, it is entirely possible that there were Black Vikings.
Even then, this argument about historical accuracy is pointless.
PerhapsBlack people were not Vikings, but there is no such thing as dragons either.
To reiterate DeBlois’s main argument,How to Train Your Dragonis supposed to bea dragon fantasy movie.
Because of this, the race of the characters is irrelevant.
For audiences, the most important aspect of casting should be whether that actor can successfully portray the character.
It is likely that these arguments will settle down over time, and eventually, will be forgotten completely.
In general, 2025’sHow to Train Your Dragonlooks like it could be a really amazing movie.
Their bond reveals new insights about dragons and transforms Viking society’s understanding of these creatures.
