Who is the director of the How to Train Your Dragon live-action?

The upcoming live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon will be directed by Dean DeBlois.

The live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon is the direct adaptation of Disney’s super hit franchise going by the same name. The movie is set to be released on June 13, 2025, and will be distributed by Universal Pictures and is made under the banners of DreamWorks Animation and Marc Platt Productions.

The movie will show actors like Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur bringing life to the animated characters of the movie.

Who is the director of the How to Train Your Dragon live-action?

The director for How to Train Your Dragon live-action is Dean DeBlois, who also worked alongside DreamWorks Animation in creating the animated versions of the movie. DeBlois is known to have directed all three versions of How to Train Your Dragon and has received critical acclaim for his work in the movie.

When the official first look for the movie was released online, Dean DeBlois explained his joy and reason for working on the movie. In the video, he said, “I decided to revisit How to Train Your Dragon because it felt like an amazing opportunity to not only direct a live-action movie but to be jumping back into a world that I frankly miss.”

The career of Dean DeBlois in Hollywood

Dean DeBlois started his career in the industry as an assistant animator and layout artist at the Hinton Animation Studios/Lacewood Productions in Ottawa, Ontario during his college times from 1988 to 1990. Around this time, the filmmaker had contributed to various animated projects like The Raccoons, The Teddy Bears' Picnic, and The Nutcracker Prince. After his graduation, Dean was seen working in Sullivan Bluth Studios in Dublin where he was credited as a layout artist, character designer, and storyboard assistant for projects like A Troll in Central Park and Thumbelina.

It was in 1994 when Dean was hired at Walt Disney Feature Animation as a storyboard artist and has worked alongside Chris Sanders for projects like Mulan and Lilo & Stitch. It was in 2008 when DeBloise was hired at DreamWorks Animation, where he was tasked to work as co-writer and co-director for the animated movie How to Train Your Dragon. As a producer, Dean DeBlois was credited for the project Gift of the Night Fury, which was a short animated series released in 2011, along with the drama “The Other Side of the Wind” which came out in 2018, and The Wild Robot which was released in 2024.

As an animator and layout artist, DeBloise was seen working in the movies The Teddy Bears' Picnic (1989), The Lion King (1994), A Troll in Central Park (1994), and Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001).

Also read: How to Train Your Dragon live action release date