Summary

Universal's live-action How to Train Your Dragon is a box office hit, earning $197.8 million opening weekend.
Nico Parker's portrayal of Astrid has faced backlash for not matching the animated character's appearance.
The film's success shows diverse casting can positively impact a franchise, like showcasing different skin colors.

Universal's How to Train Your Dragon live-action adaptation is currently taking the box office by storm as audiences flock to see the story of Toothless and Hiccup brought to life in a fresh way. Moviegoers have been transported to the Isle of Berk once again, and while the story is precisely the same as the 2010 animation, there are apparent differences in how the actors themselves portray the characters.

A talented cast was assembled for this version of How to Train Your Dragon, and the spin they've put on this beloved story has proven popular. However, whenever a live-action movie is created, there is inevitably a comparison, and unfortunately, in one instance with How to Train Your Dragon, that has led to some backlash.

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By Matthew Wilkinson

Nico Parker took on the role of Astrid for this version of How to Train Your Dragon, but she has been subject to some unfair and harsh backlash because she doesn't aesthetically look like the animated character. Parker's portrayal of Astrid is a highlight within the movie, bringing the same level of ambition and curiosity that made her so popular to begin with. The film's director, Dean DeBlois, fired back at anyone who had been critical of the situation during an interview with Variety, making it clear she was the right person for the job.

“She was cast because she was the best that came in, and within the context of this movie, and sort of the expanded mythology of the tribe, the whole idea that Astrid has to be white and blue-eyed and blonde goes away.”

The backlash against Parker taking on the role of Astrid is evidently not hurting the box office results for this version of How to Train Your Dragon. The movie earned a whopping $197.8 million in its opening weekend, which is an impressive beginning. It's the fourth-best opening of the year so far and the seventh-best ever for a live-action remake, proving that the decision to turn How to Train Your Dragon into a live-action movie was wise.

Astrid plays a key role in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, not just the first movie, which means Parker will be given further opportunities as the films progress. It will allow Parker to put her own spin on Astrid as a character in terms of the acting decisions that she makes, even though the story itself is following along from the animation.

Ultimately, Parker's physical appearance has no bearing on the movie's overall quality or how Astrid is portrayed within the film itself in terms of the story. The character herself still has the same personality, and the plot hasn't been altered. The fact that she doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes doesn't mean anything overall in a negative manner. Parker has been widely praised for her acting quality within the film, and with a sequel already planned, there is a chance this role could have a significant positive impact on her career. How to Train Your Dragon, showcasing different skin colors will hopefully provide further opportunities for other actors in the upcoming movies, which could turn this negative into a positive, helping to diversify the franchise.

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