Back in 2010, DreamWorks Animation struck gold with its fantastical and mythic tale, How To Train Your Dragon. Pulling in close to $500 million at the international box office, the move was a bona fide hit — one which even nabbed two Oscar nominations — and all but confirmed an immediate sequel.
In fact, the studio even went so far as to green-light an entire trilogy based around Hiccup, Toothless and the rest of the reptilian gang, with director Dean DeBlois set to return for 2017’s trilogy-capper.
And though DeBlois has stated that a fourth entry into the How To Train Your Dragon franchise is out of the question, the filmmaker hinted that the series could live on in the form on spinoffs. Here’s what he had to say on the matter:
“I think I’ve talked [Jeffrey Katzenberg] down from that (laughs). There may be spinoffs to come, but my involvement and my dedication to completing a story that has a reason for being and a strong sense of integrity and three chapters I think is in place and intact. Everybody seems to be in agreement that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Given the recent onslaught of sequels across the board for animated and superhero films alike, DeBlois’ commitment to delivering a conclusive narrative is a refreshing tonic. And so, it’ll be interesting to see how the director develops the arc of the film’s main characters as the franchise draws to its conclusion.
Looking ahead to the next chapter, How To Train Your Dragon 3 will soar into theatres on June 9th, 2017, following DreamWorks’ decision to push the threequel from its original 2016 release.
Tell us, what do you make of the news? Do you feel that a How To Train Your Dragon is enough for Hiccup and Toothless? Sound off below!
