Universal may fall into Disney's trap with this live-action remake

Key points

• Universal's live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon may not benefit DreamWorks or the animation industry in general.
• The success of Disney's live-action remakes doesn't guarantee the same outcome for Universal's next adaptation.
• The repetitive use of CGI in live-action adaptations could hinder DreamWorks' success in transitioning to this new medium.

For any studio, let alone a big name like Universal images – remaking an animated hit in live action is dangerous territory. A blockbuster trilogy from DreamWorks is now set to get this treatment, but it runs the risk of pushing its creators into the so-called Disney trap.

There's always a lot of skepticism around any announcement of a live-action remake, especially from longtime fans of whatever IP is being adapted. Despite this, Disney has managed to achieve stunning results at the box office with new versions of classics such as The Lion King AND The Jungle Book. Other studios began to follow suit, adapting their old animated hits to a more realistic medium. However, Universal's upcoming remake could do more harm than good, not just to its original, but to DreamWorks and other animation studios in general.

Ago How to train your dragon Do you really need a live-action remake?

Live action How to train your dragon is gearing up for release on June 13, 2025. Empire's 2025 preview gave the world its first glimpse of the upcoming film, while its official trailer was attached to theatrical screenings of Evil. From online reports and word of mouth, the film seems promising. Many visual snippets suggest that this is a shot-for-shot remake of the first animated film from 2010. This version is also directed by Dean DeBlois, who directed the entire film. HTTYD trilogy (co-directed with Chris Sanders in the first film).

So far so good, but the question lies in whether the Viking fantasy adventure needs the Disney-style live-action treatment to begin with. There is no doubt about the strength of the source material: the series of children's books written by Cressida Cowell. However, the How to train your dragon trilogy is relatively “new” compared to older animated films that are often remade, considering that the most recent film was released in 2019.

The intention of a live-action remake is usually to reintroduce a classic to new generations of younger audiences and, of course, to revamp the IP and maximize its potential. However, the film's director seems optimistic and justifies the upcoming adventure film in an interview with Empire:

It's so complicated in terms of the stakes: having a completely believable, photoreal dragon running around trying to kill it.

Universal's risk and reward of remaking How to train your dragon

How to train your dragon it's no Shrek OR Kung Fu Pandabut he has a fan following. In addition to the trilogy, the franchise includes Dragons DreamWorks TV series, as well as numerous short films and video game adaptations, most of which have been quite successful. However, it may not have enough audience pulling power to generate the huge box office numbers typically expected from live-action remakes, considering their scale of production. Notably, the three animated films were each made on an average budget of $150 million, with earnings ranging between $500 and $600 million.

But maybe this not so hardcore hit of the HTTYD franchise makes it a good candidate for Universal's remake. Live-action adaptations make good money, but the criticism they attract, especially online, cannot be ignored. Most other DreamWorks animated films have little to no scope for this treatment, mostly because their main characters are animals or mythical beasts. Imagine the outrage and confusion that would result from the announcement of a live-action remake of Madagascar OR Shark tale. So despite the questions weigh How to train your dragonit remains the safest and most viable choice in their filmography to adapt to live-action.

CGI repetition could bring down DreamWorks' live-action

Another pressing problem with this remake is repetition. The dragons in both the animated and live-action films would be computer-generated, although the style is different. In fact, images of Toothless from the theatrical trailer suggest that the CGI dragon is almost identical to his 3D animated counterpart, albeit with more texture and depth. On the other hand, consider the visual difference between 1994's 2D Simba and 2019's photorealistic lion in The Lion King. The comparison might be unfair due to the difference in years and subsequent evolution of technology, but that distinction is part of what justifies a live-action remake in the first place.

The bottom line is that what worked for Disney may not necessarily work for DreamWorks and Universal. And even if he does it with the next one How to train your dragonthis could lead executives to greenlight more live-action remakes, assuming they're successful. Who knows, the world of entertainment can spark some of the strangest ideas. But honestly, the world is ready to embrace live-action potential Shrek 5? No.