Why the Live-Action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Trailer Raises Questions

The first trailer for the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon dropped, and it has me pondering why we keep diving into this territory.

Ah, it’s another day in the world of cinematic reimaginings! Universal Pictures just released a teaser for the live-action adaptation of the much-loved animated classic How to Train Your Dragon. You know the one—the film that not only raked in a ton at the box office but also claimed a permanent spot in the hearts of fans everywhere. This time around, I can’t help but feel like these efforts are largely driven by, well, just more money. But before I spill all my thoughts, feel free to watch it for yourself and see what you make of it.

So, this film does bring back Dean DeBlois, one of the original co-directors, which is kind of reassuring. However, while the animated version wasn’t exactly bursting with color, this live-action take somehow seems even more drained of vibrancy. It’s clearly striving to mirror the original in several ways, but it’s tough—so much of its charm gets lost in translation to live action. And let’s be real here: Toothless, as lovable as ever, appears a tad out of place amid the otherwise realistic setting. Even the logo has shed some of its cartoonish appeal, likely under the influence of executive and marketing decisions.

At least the movie boasts a promising cast. Mason Thames of The Black Phone fame steps into Hiccup’s shoes, while Gerard Butler reprises his role as Chief Stoick the Vast, a character he originally voiced in the animated feature. That familiar voice should be a nice touch. Also onboard are Nico Parker from The Last of Us, who plays Astrid, and Nick Frost from Shaun of the Dead, who takes on the role of Gobber. They’re strong choices, adding some weight to the lineup.

Whether I’m thrilled about this redo or not, it’s happening, so I’ll just have to roll with it. We’ll all get the chance to size it up when it hits theaters next year on June 13.