14 DAY TRIAL // DreamWorks made a killing with the first “How to Train Your Dragon” animated 3D film so it’s no wonder it’s already working on a sequel – and the first details for it have just been released.
Critics consider “How to Train Your Dragon” the best animated movie of the year 2010 (bar “Toy Story 3”), while its $500 million grossing at the box office also speaks volumes for how much moviegoers loved it as well.
As such, it was only to be expected for a sequel to come out, though to its credit the studio is taking its time with the second one, which means it won’t compromise quality for money.
As Den of Geek informs, the sequel arrives in 2013, and DreamWorks has already announced that the entire funny voice cast will return for it.
“That means Jay Baruchel, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, America Ferrera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, TJ Miller and Kristen Wiig,” Den of Geek says.
Notably absent is Gerard Butler, who played Hiccup’s always complaining, never satisfied and always butch father Stoick.
However, since the first film saw the father-son conflict resolved, it is believed Stoick won’t be appearing in the follow-up at all, wherefrom Butler’s involvement is no longer necessary.
“Also, one of the two original directors is coming back, too. Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders shared directing duties on the first movie, and while Sanders is staying involved, DeBlois is taking sole credit this time around,” Den of Geek says.
“He’s also writing the script, based once more on the books of Cressida Cowell,” the e-zine further says.
Though fans can’t but be happy about the recent announcement, some (like Hollywood.com) wonder whether a sequel can add more substance to the first film, or whether, on the contrary, it will turn out to be bigger but not necessarily better.
“The real concern is that the movie doesn’t really need a sequel (not that most of them ever do). It was a beautiful little story about looking beyond first impressions (with dragons and fire!) and I fear that another story would just be a fun little romp with the same characters but none of the depth,” the publication says.
Movie studios should have learned their lesson with “Shrek,” while audiences should know by now that, most often than not, the original should suffice to tell a story and that sequels only ruin the experience, the report argues.