How the Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Can Finally Give Astrid the Arc She Deserves

The strength that truly sets the “How to Train Your Dragon” series apart lies in its richly developed characters and their connections with each other. It’s my hope that the upcoming live-action adaptation will be able to replicate this charm. Although it appears that the new movie is following closely in the footsteps of its animated predecessor, there are still opportunities for refinement when it comes to some of the “How to Train Your Dragon” characters. One such character with room for improvement is Astrid, a series staple who has been consistently present throughout the franchise.

The question of whether the new film can rekindle the enchantment of the initial animated masterpiece is yet undecided, given that many live-action remakes often fall short, appearing as pale imitations of their predecessors. With one of the original directors at the helm for How to Train Your Dragon, it’s likely that the film will closely adhere to his original concept. Even though Astrid was admirable in the original trilogy, there are several opportunities for DeBlois to enhance her storyline without compromising her character.

Astrid’s Character Shift In The Original How To Train Your Dragon Happens Fast

Astrid’s Change In The Original Movie Happens Very Quickly

Astrid’s journey in “How to Train Your Dragon” is straightforward, as she evolved from initially disregarding Hiccup’s supposed lack of skill to recognizing his true strength, which lies in his empathy, ability to overcome Berk’s ancient prejudices, and ingenuity. She effectively contributes to the story by being a unique character while also advancing Hiccup’s narrative. However, her transition from antagonistic to friendly within the storyline occurs quite rapidly, and could potentially be developed more extensively for a more nuanced portrayal.

Initially in the film, Astrid initially perceives Hiccup as a weakling and displays hostility towards him. However, as he gains knowledge about dragons and excels in their classes, she also develops feelings of jealousy. This changes drastically when he offers her a ride on Toothless. From that moment on, Astrid’s demeanor transforms significantly, becoming friendlier and even flirtatious. Although the transformation can be explained by her newfound respect for Hiccup due to his interaction with Toothless, it appears as if she undergoes a dramatic personality change after this scene.

The New How To Train Your Dragon Can Afford More Nuance To Astrid’s Changing Worldview

Astrid Could Be Given More Time To Develop In The New Version

In the film How to Train Your Dragon, Astrid’s narrative journey should remain central because it significantly contributes to the overall story. However, there are opportunities to delve deeper into her character and provide more insight into her growth. Additional scenes or subplots could be introduced without stealing too much focus from Toothless and Hiccup, as their bond forms the core of the narrative. Astrid is a consistent character across all three animated movies, so expanding her role seems fitting to fully appreciate her development.

Introducing subtle shifts in Astrid’s behavior prior to her initial flight would make her character development more engaging, as it would demonstrate a gradual transformation rather than an abrupt change. If the revised version of Astrid exhibited hints of change before her first flight, even if they were minor, these early signs would lend credibility to her future character transformations.

Moreover, it might be effective to include additional instances of Astrid’s anger following their initial flight, allowing her to gradually simmer down and eventually align herself with Hiccup’s cause.

We Understand Hiccup, But How To Train Your Dragon Has Never Fully Delved Into Astrid’s Mentality

Astrid Felt Very Much Like A Side Character

In the world of “How to Train Your Dragon”, it’s clear that Hiccup was the protagonist, richly fleshed out with distinct and personal growth paths in each movie. Although Astrid was consistently strong, the films didn’t delve deeply into her character, often keeping her in a supporting role. If the creators of the live-action adaptation choose to innovate, Astrid could be an ideal character to explore more thoroughly.

In the animated trilogy, Astrid and Hiccup shared a delightful relationship that avoided typical romantic drama, instead focusing on their mutual support and upliftment. This was refreshing as many films artificially create conflicts in relationships for dramatic effect. Unfortunately, this approach sometimes made Astrid seem more like Hiccup’s girlfriend than a fully-developed character. Hopefully, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon series will offer more depth to Astrid’s character in the future.

2025-05-03 17:21