Dreamworks and Live-Action

    https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/another-how-to-train-your-dragon-movie-is-coming-but-in-an-unexpected-way

    Apparently the phrase, “if it's not broke, don’t fix it.” doesn’t apply to the film industry, as more and more classic, particularly animated, films are being remade into live-action. 

    I have concerns about supporting this trend for several reasons. First, the push to make animated movies into live-action, degrades animation by treating it as if it were only for children and shouldn’t be taken seriously. Second, when movies get remade, rarely will they retain their original heart and soul. A few other issues include how fans are not asking for these remakes, the studios are remaking their movies with the sole purpose of making more money, and this is a great excuse for studios to avoid writing a new, creative story and can choose to play it safe. 

    Disney has been at the forefront of this movement, having remade 19 of their beloved animated films, including several from their “Renaissance” era. Now, Dreamworks is looking to get in on the action. 

    Dreamworks announced they will be releasing a live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon” (HTTYD) possibly sometime in 2025. 

    Beyond the “Shrek” series, “HTTYD” has become one of Dreamworks’ most beloved franchises resulting in three feature-length animated films, five short films, and three tv-series that expand the world and characters of the original 2010 film. 

Scene from "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" (2019).

    Dreamworks has an interesting opportunity to rival Disney in another field. This will be Dreamworks' first live-action film. While Dreamworks has significantly fewer films in their catalog compared to Disney, they have plenty of films that were never made, and scripts that are close to being finished. All they would need to do is dust them off and start filming. 

    I'm not particularly excited about an “HTTYD” remake, I love the original series and I am worried that they will be unable to carry the same emotions of the story across mediums. But, this remake might be able to satisfy existing fans because it is going to be written, directed, and produced by the original creator, Dean DeBlois. Making this the first time (among major studios like Disney and Dreamworks) that a remake will be made by its original creator.  

    I'm a fan of the franchise, so if "HTTYD" live-action makes it to theaters, I'll definitely go watch. But I would prefer that Dreamworks start with some of their unreleased stories. I would also prefer that Disney stop remaking their classics and instead, lay them to rest.