Dean DeBlois, director of the upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, has responded to criticism about Nico Parker’s casting as Astrid in the film. How to Train Your Dragon will adapt the beloved 2010 animated movie, in which America Ferrera voiced Astrid. In addition to Parker, the cast of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon adaptation includes Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, and Nick Frost. Ever since it was announced that Nico Parker would be portraying Astrid in the live-action movie, some people have criticized the casting choice since Parker is Black, while the animated version of Astrid was White.
Recently, DeBlois posted his response to the criticisms on Instagram, defending the casting choice. The director argued that it makes sense for Astrid to be Black in the world of the live-action film, and insisted that Parker was the best actor for the role. Read his full comment below:
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). 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.
What Nico Parker’s Astrid Casting Means For The How To Train Your Dragon Live-Action Movie
Nico Parker’s Astrid Will Be A Major Character In The How To Train Your Dragon Movie
Parker is a young actor, but she has previously earned acclaim for her role as Sarah Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us. This role, in addition to her other movie and TV show appearances, proves that she is a talented and rising actor. Astrid is one of the most important characters in the How to Train Your Dragon animated films since she is a fierce Viking warrior who ends up being Hiccup’s love interest. Based on DeBlois’ comments, it is clear he is confident that Parker did a great job portraying Astrid’s young and sometimes reckless energy.
Even though there is no reason for DeBlois to feel like he has to justify casting a Black actor to play Astrid, the director pushed back against people who are calling the casting historically inaccurate. He pointed out that the tribe that will be seen in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is made up of descendants of the best dragon fighters from everywhere the Vikings traveled. Therefore, since the Vikings traveled very far from their homeland, Astrid being Black doesn’t affect the story’s realism .
Our Take On Nico Parker’s Casting As Astrid In How To Train Your Dragon
Unfortunately, the first trailer for How to Train Your Dragon did not include Parker as Astrid. Instead, it focused on Butler’s Stoick, Mason Thames’ Hiccup, and Toothless. However, she is featured in the behind-the-scenes video for How to Train Your Dragon. In the video, Parker looks like she fits right into the world of How to Train Your Dragon and embodies Astrid perfectly. Therefore, fans should be excited to see more of her character when the movie is released in 2025.
Source: Dean DeBlois/Instagram
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.
- Director
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Dean DeBlois
- Release Date
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June 13, 2025
- Studio(s)
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DreamWorks Pictures
- Distributor(s)
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Universal Pictures
- Writers
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Dean DeBlois
- Cast
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Mason Thames
, Nico Parker
, Gerard Butler
, Nick Frost
, Julian Dennison
, Gabriel Howell
, Bronwyn James
, Harry Trevaldwyn
, Ruth Codd - Character(s)
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Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
, Astrid Hofferson
, Stoick the Vast
, Gobber the Belch
, Fishlegs Ingerman
, Snoutlout Jorgenson
, Ruffnut Thorston
, Tuffnut Thorston
, Phlegma
