‘Bring Them To Tears… And Cheers.’ I Asked How To Train Your Dragon Live Action’s Director About Seeing The Movie With An Audience For The First Time, And It Did Not Disappoint

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There’s been much discussion lately over the transition of numerous well-known animated films into live-action adaptations. While some have been warmly received by fans, others haven’t fared as well. Director Dean DeBlois expressed his concerns about the audience reaction following the live-action debut of How To Train Your Dragon, but he also shared a moment when he felt the movie was resonating with an audience.

The live-action adaptation of “How To Train Your Dragon” is not set for release until June 13th, 2025, but a few fortunate fans got to watch it during its initial screening in front of a live audience at CinemaCon earlier this year. The positive news is that director Dean DeBlois described the early premiere as a “test,” and he was pleased to announce that the movie successfully managed its (dragon) landing.

At CinemaCon, our presentation served as a trial run. We showcased it to a large audience and welcomed their honest feedback. Fortunately, the responses were overwhelmingly positive. People appreciated that we stayed true to the original film while also enhancing certain aspects of it. It seems they are pleased with our approach.

I, along with the cast and creative crew, had the opportunity to witness the unfolding events, just as they did, and a short while later, I engaged in discussions about premiering the movie at the opening of How To Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. During our chat on the blue carpet, we reminisced about the intense reactions the film sparked among the audience, and it’s worth noting that many viewers showed signs of emotion following the initial screening of the live-action adaptation.

In numerous instances, my coworker and I found ourselves shedding tears, and DeBlois confided in me that this is the very level of success he aspires to achieve when releasing a film into the world.

To my mind, displaying tears is a sign of accomplishment. When someone tells me they came close to crying, I’m filled with a sense of ‘Ah, almost there! We were on the verge of success.’ Clapping and any other outpouring of joy are wonderful, but tears require effort. It’s challenging to evoke genuine sentimentality that would make people cry. However, if you can manage to stir such emotions in someone, it embodies the full emotional journey of [creating a film]. Make them weep… and cheer!

Indeed, a particular moment, which I must admit might not be considered entirely spoiler-free, left them utterly convinced about the quality of the film.

There Was One How To Train Your Dragon Scene That Helped The Creative Team Feel Like They’d Really Done It

Adam Siegel, the movie’s producer, termed the premiere as a nerve-wracking instance. After all, it’s always uncertain how an audience will respond to the hard work and dedication of the creative team, which spans over several months. There was a particular scene, glimpsed in the How To Train Your Dragon live action trailer, that the team held their breath in anticipation, eagerly waiting for the audience’s reaction. Siegel confided in me:

We’re incredibly pleased with that test drive as it represented our effort to elevate flying to unprecedented heights and offer an unforgettable experience to everyone involved. When the applause began, it felt like a validation, a moment when we knew we had achieved something remarkable, and the feeling was truly overwhelming.

I’ve been sharing with folks that the Live Action version of “How To Train Your Dragon” seems to blend aspects from the animated film and “Avatar,” particularly during the flying scenes which solidify this comparison for me. The studio is confident about this movie, they’re already planning ahead. They’ve given a go-ahead for another film in the “HTTYD” series, and DeBlois has hinted at bringing back another actor.

For an even more immersive “Dragon” experience with the franchise, consider visiting the “How To Train Your Dragon” realm at Epic Universe. This area offers unique surprises and has now been opened to the general public. It’s dragon-themed fun all around!

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2025-06-06 15:37