The award-winning filmmaker returns to the franchise he made famous with DreamWorks Animation to helm a new ‘Dragons’ adaptation set to fly into theaters in 2025.
Universal Pictures has announced a live-action adaptation of the hugely popular DreamWorks Animation How to Train Your Dragon franchise. Award-winning filmmaker Dean DeBlois, who helmed the franchise’s three hit animated features, returns to write, direct, and produce the project. The film is set for release March 14, 2025.
Based on the best-selling book series by Cressida Cowell, the first animated movie, How to Train Your Dragon, premiered in 2010. The franchise boasts four Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award for the second filmed chapter.
DeBlois, best known for writing, directing, and executive producing the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, also wrote and directed, along with Chris Sanders, Walt Disney Animation Studios' Lilo & Stitch (2002) after first serving as co-head of story on Mulan (1998).
Oscar nominee Marc Platt (La La Land, Bridge of Spies, Trial Of The Chicago 7) is on board to produce for his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions alongside Adam Siegel, President of Marc Platt Productions. Platt is currently in production on Universal Pictures' film adaptation of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Grammy winner Ariana Grande and Academy Award nominee and Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Cynthia Erivo.
Lexi Barta will oversee production development on behalf of Universal. DeBlois is represented by WME and Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler Feldman & Clark.
Source: Universal Pictures
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
