How To Train Your Dragon Live-Action Reboot Gets Enthusiastic Support From Original Hiccup Actor

How To Train Your Dragon‘s original animated star Jay Baruchel shares his opinion on the upcoming live-action reboot. Adapted from the children’s books by Cressida Cowell, the original animated movie of How To Train Your Dragon was released in 2010, becoming both a critical and commercial success, grossing $494.9 million globally. It follows the adventures of a young, clumsy Viking named Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, as he embarks on a coming-of-age tale, learns to train dragons, and find his courage. The franchise consists of three animated movies, five short films, and three spinoff TV shows.

Baruchel, who voiced Hiccup in all three animated movies, shares his views on the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon live-action adaptation. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant to discuss his upcoming movie Humane, he was asked about the live-action reboot, and revealed how he is excited about director Dean Deblois’s (who helmed the 3 animated movies) vision for the movie. Baruchel declared himself “proud and psyched” despite not appearing in the movie, and talked about how he hoped the film would speak to a new generation of kids.

Oh, boy. Well, my friend Dean wrote and is directing that movie, and I’m just proud of and psyched for him. He’s been sending me cell phone pictures of the crazy set they built in Ireland. I’m just thrilled because he’s got big ideas, and he hasn’t made enough s–t yet. So, I’m really proud that Dean gets to do his thing.

It’s crazy, because I don’t feel part of a different generation — well, that’s not true, I do all the time. But, I guess, all the kids that were kids when the first one came out are grown-up now, which is f—ed. [Chuckles] So, there’s a whole bunch of little kids behind them who need their thing, and I hope maybe they find it here.

Is There An Audience For A Live-Action How To Train Your Dragon?

How To Train Your Dragon Can Become Multi-Generational

How To Train Your Dragon has become a hugely popular multimedia franchise, and has proven a big hit with children and grown-ups alike, and there could well be a market for a live-action audience. As Baruchel notes, the kids who watched the original animated movie will be adults now, and might even be considering taking their kids to see it. So the reboot would be a great way to appeal to families, and will, naturally, spark conversations about watching the How to Train Your Dragon movies and TV shows in order.

At the time of writing, the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dagon is currently filming, and there are plans for a 2025 theatrical release in the United States. Of course, this is subject to everything progressing as planned on the filming side of things, as well as avoiding any mishaps on set. Though Baruchel will not be continuing his voice role from the animated movies in the live-action reboot, Gerard Buter is one of the How to Train Your Dragon actors reprising their role for the upcoming movie.

Baruchel certainly seems to have confidence that the movie will be a success, and there are plenty of reasons to be positive about things. Live-action adaptations of successful animated movies can always be a risk, but since shows like Game of Thrones opened up dragons to a wider adult audience, a How to Train Your Dragon live-action movie could be just the crossover that Universal has been hoping for, as well as a great way of being able to reboot the franchise for a new generation while continuing to please viewers of the original at the same time.