The animated How to Train Your Dragon under DreamWorks has been a fan favorite movie for the past few decades. Therefore, now that Universal Studios announced their plans to transform the animation into a live-action film to retell the tale of Hiccup and his relationship with the endearing dragon, Toothless, fans’ excitement simply skyrocketed.
However, after reputed media outlets revealed the casting for the role of Hiccup and Astrid, things took a bad turn. Fans’ excitement transformed into scrutiny and backlash over British actor Nico Parker’s casting as Astrid. As the trailer that showed Parker in a new hair, offering Astrid a completely different look compared to the animation, fans lost their mind over the difference.
Nico Parker Cast as Astrid in Live Action How to Train Your Dragon Movie
Universal Studios has picked up the original DreamWorks animated movie How to Train Your Dragon, with the desire to transform it into a live-action adaptation. Planning to retell the story of Hiccup and the beloved dragon Toothless, the studio has recently unveiled the first trailer for the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon.
The trailer featured Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Julian Dennison as Fishlegs Ingerman. Meanwhile, Gerard Butler reprised his role as Stoick the Vast, transitioning from his voice role in the animated trilogy to a live-action performance. But among all, it’s particularly the British actress Nico Parker’s casting that made rounds on the internet.
According to reports, while people were expected to be overjoyed by the trailer and celebrate the efforts put into transforming the fan-favorite animation into live-action—fan reception seemed to be quite the opposite. Apparently, fans seemed to lose their mind over the biracial casting of the British actress Nico Parker as the fictional Astrid Hofferson.
Fans Do Not Approve Nico Parker’s Casting Due to Difference in Race
Right after THR had confirmed the casting of Nico Parker as Astrid, social media flooded with comments about casting controversies in Hollywood. Attacking the live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie for blackwashing characters, netizens expressed their disappointment over Parker’s casting as a Viking character.
Considering how Nico Parker is biracial, with African and Caucasian descent, her casting as a white female Viking character in the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon movie did not sit well with fans. Parker received heavy backlash as fans seemed unsure about whether the actress should play Astrid Hofferson.
As the trailer featured Nico Parker in a new look with braided dark hair, fans took to social media to express their frustration over her casting. Questioning Universal Studios’ choices and urging them to hire a Scandinavian actress, netizens argued over the difference in race between Parker and Astrid.
I don’t really care but why didn’t they hire a natural blonde
— Tak K 🇸🇻 (@TakKayz3) November 20, 2024
Tbh whatever at this point, but, no, she doesn’t look Scandinavian at all lmfao
— 🏴☠️⨺Karina Morningstar⨺💙💛 (@MoonwalkerKari) November 20, 2024
I´m a Scandinavian viking and I say she´s perfect ! 🩷
— Misu Murasaki💜Live2D artist (@Misu_PurpleNeko) November 20, 2024
Totally the same pic.twitter.com/M5JffJ5WGD
— MaxiLuke (@HanSchorle) November 20, 2024
Fans of the original How to Train Your Dragon movie seemed unhappy with the woke agenda of Hollywood, where black culture appeared reportedly forced into Scandinavian culture. Although a handful of people expressed their support for Parker, the whole chaos led netizens to express their disinterest in watching the live-action adaptation.
How to Train Your Dragon is scheduled to release on 13 June 2025.
How to Train Your Dragon animation movies are available on Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
