Casting of Nico Parker as Hiccup's Viking love interest, Astrid Hofferson, has caused quite the stir within the HTTYD community as of late with both sides arguing arguements that won't change peoples' minds. How to Train Your Dragon director, Dean DeBlois, has decided to address the controversy.
DeBlois can be seen posting Instagram championing a comment telling people to stop sending hatred Parker's way for being cast in the role, stating that they had auditioned many actors, including ones who looked more like the characters they were auditioning for, but the crew decided to give the role to someone who filled "the spirit and personality" of the character better. Additionally, he pointed out that the film is still fantasy rather than fact.
“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... Instead of a completely new tale, we aimed to embellish and deepen, without abandoning the story that fans love.”
While everyone has opinions surrounding the casting, it's still a fictional movie with only loose grounding, in that Vikings did exist but didn't ride dragons.
The better way to go about this is if one is so against Astrid's casting, you could always just not watch it and remain watching the original animated films. But, for those who are open to the idea, How to Train Your Dragon's live action adaptation pegged The Black Phone's Mason Thames as Viking-turned-dragon-tamer, Hiccup.
Beyond the starring role and support main, Astrid, Gerard Butler steps in front of the camera as Chief Stoick the Vast, which he played in the animated films, too and Shaun of the Dead's Nick Frost dons the role of village blacksmith, Gobber. It will also feature Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur.
DeBlois is writing, producing, and directing the film alongside award-winning producers Marc Platt and Adam Siegel.
How to Train Your Dragon is heading to theaters on June 13, 2025.
"On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society."