Transformed "How to Train Your Dragon" Sequel Makes Berk Appear Authentic
Flying High with Fire-Breathers: Behind the Scene of How to Train Your Dragon's Live-Action Rebirth
In a revealing chat with io9, filmmaker Dean DeBlois, the driving force behind the much-loved DreamWorks animation series and the upcoming live-action iteration of How to Train Your Dragon, delves into the mind-blowing process of bringing the enchanting Viking world of Berk to the silver screen.
DeBlois talked up the role of practical effects in granting the actors an incredible dragon-riding experience, emphasizing their importance in making epic moments feel searingly real, such as when Hiccup (Mason Thames) forges an astonishing friendship with his Nightfury buddy, Toothless.
"Toothless in those scenes was a foam head," DeBlois candidly disclosed. Intricate animatronics were the beating heart of the flight sequences. "We needed to achieve convincing movement from our actors when they were riding dragons rather than just having them sit idly and let us maneuver them around," he explained.
Supporting this goal was the creation of impressive gimbals – colossal devices approximately 8 to 10 feet tall – that could move along six distinct axes for a breath-taking, dream-like experience. Each dragon in the movie sported its own animatronic model to help the actors seamlessly slip into the dragon-riding roles.
Thames understandably had plenty of time "on dragon," as the film centers around Hiccup and Toothless' unforgettable journey. According to DeBlois, "It was the chest, the neck, and the head, and they could all move independently, either joystick controlled or controlled by animation that had already been done by the animators. As he was darting, twisting, and rolling, Mason's body was reacting accordingly, just like a jockey on a horse."
Moreover, DeBlois shared that the technique of simulating dragon-riding for the actors was entirely novel. "It's the very first time anyone has attempted it, which was fraught with anxiety that it might not pan out or fall apart on us. But, as it turned out, it was absolute perfection."
The enchanting symphony of John Powell's unforgettable themes from the animated films, harmonized with the masterful visuals of cinematographer Bill Pope, infused fresh life into Hiccup and Toothless' endearing friendship. The pair's partnership played a significant role in directing the film towards DeBlois' desired vision. Regarding Pope's work, he said, "I believe Bill comprehended, from the outset, that there was a great deal to conserve regarding the animated film; we had to strive to preserve its heart and the whimsical, magical allure. Through his camera lens, the world became authentic but retained its charismatic, dream-like quality. Naturally, John Powell's music just served to heighten the emotions and catapult the narrative to new heights."
However, the expansion of the score was a high priority for DeBlois, who shared, "I always say that everything we create in making a movie gets it halfway there, and then the composer takes it the rest of the way, because music transcends words and goes straight to the heart." He adds that they were fortunate to have Powell's iconic music accompanying the narrative, propelling it to breathtaking new heights.
As we gear up for the film's release, io9 also took note of the fact that Berk now has a genuine-life counterpart for fans to visit at Epic Universe, and asked DeBlois his thoughts on the land at Universal Orlando Resort. Although he wasn't able to check out most of the attractions, he was thrilled with the way it brought Berk's world of life with dragons into our reality.
"I initially thought it would be a little hokey, but it turned out to be rather amazing," he said of the Meet Toothless encounter. He was also exceptionally impressed with Universal Orlando's casting choice for the theme park version of Hiccup.
"The kid has truly done his homework; he embodies all the mannerisms, voice, and character traits that Jakob Jensen, the film's lead animator, infused into the role," he added.
How to Train Your Dragon swoops into theaters on June 13. If you're hungry for more io9 news, stay tuned for updates on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, the next chapter of the DC Universe on the silver screen, and all the necessary information you'll need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
- The future of How to Train Your Dragon franchise extends beyond the silver screen, as Berk has a real-life counterpart at Epic Universe for fans to visit.
- Dean DeBlois, the filmmaker behind How to Train Your Dragon, revealed that John Powell's unforgettable themes harmonized with Bill Pope's masterful visuals to infuse fresh life into Hiccup and Toothless' endearing friendship.
- In the much-awaited live-action iteration of How to Train Your Dragon, DeBlois discussed using animatronics and impressive gimbals to achieve convincing dragon-riding sequences, a technique that was entirely novel in the realm of technology and entertainment.
