Forget Disney—this live action has potential to actually be good

I don't know about you, but I’m always wary when a live-action remake of an animation I love is announced. Perhaps it's the pent-up experience from Disney's ups and downs in this area. The Lion King seemed more like a National Geographic documentary than an exciting movie, and The Little Mermaid... well, I liked it, but it wasn't the same. So, when I heard that How to Train Your Dragon was also getting a live-action version, my initial reaction was a deep sigh and a “here we go again”. But the more I read about the project, the more I realized that it might be different this time.

How to Train Your Dragon is one of those films that already seemed like having one foot in reality, even though it was an animation. DreamWorks created a world with so much texture and emotion that it was easy to imagine it all coming to life off the animated screen. And honestly? This Viking universe with charismatic dragons has everything it takes to be a stunning live action. With its epic landscapes and creature design that is already impeccable in animation, plus a story combining adventure and emotion, there is a lot of potential here. It's not just another fairy tale with castles and songs, but something that sounds cinematic right from the start.

Unlike Disney adaptations, which often seem to be more concerned with recreating nostalgia than bringing something new, How to Train Your Dragon seems to be taking a smarter route. Dean DeBlois , the director responsible for the animated trilogy, is directly involved in the remake. And, to me, that is a huge relief. He understands the essence of the story, what made people fall in love with Hiccup, Toothless and the whole gang. If anyone knows how to transport that magic to a live action, it's him.

I've always been critical of this remake fever, because many end up being lukewarm and forgettable versions of the originals. But How to Train Your Dragon has something that most of Disney's live-action adaptations have failed to capture: the perfect balance between visuals and emotion. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, for example, is one of the most beautiful and sincere things I've ever seen in an animation. Seeing this translated into real actors and state-of-the-art visual effects has everything it takes to be striking, if done right.

Another point that excites me is the scale of the project. The franchise already has an epic feel to it, with aerial battles and Viking villages full of personality. Now imagine that with a budget worthy of a blockbuster, mixed with modern visual effects technology. Do you know that feeling of flying with Toothless that the animation brought upon us? I can't wait to see how they bring that to the big screen in live action. With the right technology, it could be mind-blowing—something that many remakes don't even come close to achieving.

Of course, there's a risk that it could all fall apart, especially if the focus is only on realistic graphics and the heart of the story is forgotten. But from what has been released so far, the approach seems to be on the right track. It's not just about recreating every scene from the animation, but about bringing to life what made the franchise so special. And to be honest, the casting choice is going to be crucial for that. If they get it right with the actors who will play Hiccup, Astrid and Stoico, we'll already be halfway to success.

What also sets How to Train Your Dragon apart from other remakes is the fact that the original animation is not a distant memory from decades ago. The trilogy ended a few years ago, which means that the public is still very connected to these characters. It's not like adapting Snow White or Cinderella, which have such old narratives that they end up needing a complete reinvention to stay relevant. Here, the challenge is not to modernize the story, but to elevate what already works.

While many remakes get lost trying to please both nostalgic fans and a new generation, How to Train Your Dragon has the advantage of having a fan base that grew up with the trilogy and continues to love it. At the same time, the story is universal enough to win over a new audience effortlessly. That's something that few adaptations manage to balance.

I know it's too early to say if this new version will indeed pay off, but I'm optimistic. For the first time in quite a while, it seems that a live-action film is being made while respecting the original material and with the intention of creating something truly magical. If all goes well, How to Train Your Dragon could not only break the cycle of mediocre remakes, but also prove that not every live action has to be a disappointment.

So, yes, this time I'm hopeful. And I can't wait to fly with Toothless again, but now on a big screen, with visuals so realistic that I will almost be able to feel the wind on my face.