The upcoming live-action adaptation of the beloved animated hit How to Train Your Dragon is already making waves, not just for its highly anticipated arrival, but for the surprising announcement of a sequel long before the first film even hits theaters. This early news even gave director Dean DeBlois pause, admitting he felt a “little reluctant” about the timing.
DeBlois, who masterminded the original animated trilogy and is at the helm for the new live-action version, shared his perspective with Entertainment Weekly. Traditionally, studios wait to gauge a film’s box office performance and audience reception before greenlighting a follow-up. DeBlois felt this approach would have been preferable, wanting to ensure audiences connected with his new take on Berk and its dragon-riding heroes before committing to another chapter.
Why Universal Pushed Ahead
Despite DeBlois’s apprehension, Universal Pictures had compelling reasons for making the announcement early. The studio gained significant confidence after viewing a near-finished version of the live-action film that reportedly tested very well with preview audiences.
Furthermore, announcing the sequel at a major industry event like CinemaCon in April 2025 (ahead of the first film’s June 13, 2025 release) served a strategic purpose. It generated early buzz among theater owners and exhibitors, highlighting Universal’s long-term commitment to the franchise. Planning for a major sequel, currently slated for release on June 11, 2027, requires securing premium screens and logistics years in advance, making the early announcement a practical move for the studio.
Cast Members Shared the Hesitation
DeBlois wasn’t alone in his initial nervousness. Actress Nico Parker, who portrays Astrid in the live-action film, and veteran star Gerard Butler, reprising his role as Stoick the Vast, also admitted to feeling apprehensive about the early reveal. The prospect of announcing a sequel before knowing if audiences would embrace the first film felt potentially awkward.
However, their worries were seemingly unfounded. When the sequel announcement was made at CinemaCon, coupled with the debut of footage from the first live-action film, the reception from the industry crowd was reportedly met with strong applause and positive reactions.
The Creative Vision for the Live-Action Saga
The creative strategy behind the live-action How to Train Your Dragon films, encouraged by Universal, focuses on being a faithful yet “additive” recreation of the animated predecessors. Director DeBlois aims to appeal to the nostalgia of long-time fans while crafting something fresh and engaging for new viewers.
This approach involves deepening existing elements of the story, such as the world’s mythology, the complex relationships between characters like Hiccup and his dragon Toothless, and enhancing the action sequences. The goal is to tell the familiar story from the animated films but incorporate new layers and surprises. DeBlois is currently focused on developing the story for the sequel, tackling the challenge of revisiting the narrative of the second animated film, which he himself wrote, with an objective eye to potentially improve upon it.
Actor Mason Thames, who steps into the role of Hiccup, has expressed his personal excitement for the second installment, noting that the second animated film holds a special place in his heart and “hits the feels every time.”
With the first film on the horizon and the second already announced, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon saga is set to take flight, bringing the beloved story of Vikings and dragons to a new generation with both familiar elements and exciting new depth.
