Recently, Dean DeBlois addressed the hate that the How to Train Your Dragon live-action film has gotten for its casting of Nico Parker as Astrid.
Since its initial announcement, fans have eagerly anticipated the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. The original film has easily become one of the most beloved animated projects of all time, making a special place for itself in the hearts of every single one of its fans. Although this means that there are a lot of people who are looking forward to the film, it also means that they are going to be very particular about what they like and don’t like.
A still from the trailer for How to Train Your Dragon live-action | Credit: Universal StudiosAs more and more information about the film is getting released for the world to see, the fans’ excitement is increasing just as much. Although there is one aspect of the film that they are not happy with in the slightest: Astrid’s race. People have been voicing their disapproval towards Nico Parker’s casting as the character. However, the director of the project knows exactly what to say to them.
Astrid Hofferson: An Unnecessary Change or Illogical Complaints?
Ever since it was first announced that Nico Parker would be playing the role of Astrid Hofferson, fans were more than a little upset about it. The choice of casting an actress of color in the role of a character who was white in the original work has been criticized by fans in more ways than one. Some want simply accuracy, while others point out that her casting is historically inaccurate. They mentioned that Vikings were predominantly white Europeans.
Nico Parker and Mason Thames in How to Train Your Dragon live-action | Credit: Universal Studios
However, a lot of the criticism against the casting is baseless. Astrid’s voice actress in the original How to Train Your Dragon film was America Ferrera, who is a first-generation Latina. Additionally, there has been proof that not all Vikings were white, debunking the “historical accuracy.”
While there has been a lot of conversation about this among fans, the director of the live-action film, Dean DeBlois, also spoke on the same. Posting a picture of a lengthy comment on his Instagram, he took a very logical approach when explaining Parker’s casting.
The How to Train Your Dragon Remake Explored All Its Options
In the Instagram post, Dean DeBlois was replying to a fan who was defending his casting of Nico Parker as Astrid in the How to Train Your Dragon live-action film. The fan mentioned that the race of the actress does not matter as long as she can deliver a performance faithful to the original film. They also pointed out that America Ferrera was originally the voice for her character, asking others if they had an issue with the original film as well.
Speaking along similar lines, the director mentioned that the casting of the actress should not matter as much as it had for fans. DeBlois revealed that when they were casting for the role, they auditioned many actors, many of whom looked exactly like Astrid in the animated film. However, they found that it was Parker who was able to embody her essence the best.
Exactly. 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).
He then revealed a detail about the film, adding that there has been a change made when it comes to the background of the Vikings that the fans are following. Their ranks are filled with the strongest fighters from everywhere that the Vikings have traveled, causing them to have diverse skin tones and cultures.
Still, we’re crafting a fantasy, not historical fact, and all will be revealed in time. 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.
How To Train Your Dragon | Credit: Dream Works
Adding some more information about his thoughts on the same, he mentioned that, although they have tried to be as accurate as they possibly could, the film exists in the fantasy genre and is not a documentary about Vikings.
While some may be upset with the perspective that DeBlois gave, there is no denying that the explanation that he gave does track, with Parker’s casting being the only thing that fans are upset with.
The How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake is set to release in theaters on June 13, 2025.
