Nico Parker, the actress stepping into the role of Astrid in the upcoming live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon,” has boldly responded to the online criticism surrounding her casting. Parker, known for her work in “The Last of Us,” has been at the center of a social media debate concerning her portrayal of Astrid, a character traditionally depicted with blonde hair and blue eyes in the beloved animated films.
In a candid interview, Parker addressed the elephant in the room: the complaints about her appearance not aligning with the animated Astrid. She acknowledged that some fans deeply cherish the original movies and desire an exact replica in the live-action version. “There are some people that really love the animated movies and really want to see an exact play-by-play of that film, and I hope that you can watch the new version and find something that you love about it, regardless,” Parker stated.
However, her message took a firm turn when speaking about the more vitriolic reactions. For those whose criticism stems from a place of “hate inclusivity” or “hate change,” Parker was unequivocal. “When it comes to that side of things, I just don’t care,” she asserted. She elaborated on her stance, emphasizing that she cannot give weight to opinions she wouldn’t respect in other aspects of her life. “If I wouldn’t value your opinion on most things in life, I can’t value your opinion on my hair. If I did, I would go mad.”
Parker also touched upon the broader landscape of representation in Hollywood. As a mixed-race actress, she reflected on the scarcity of diverse role models during her younger years. “When I was younger, the amount of mixed race or Black icons, people that I would look to on-screen to be like, ‘Oh, this feels like me,’ felt really minimal in comparison to what it could be for young people now, and I think that’s really special,” she commented, expressing hope to contribute to this ongoing positive change.
Director Dean DeBlois has also previously weighed in on the casting discussions, noting that the live-action film aims to be a “reimagining” that remains faithful to the spirit of the story while allowing for enrichment of characters and relationships. He also clarified that the casting process focused on capturing the “spirit and personality” of the characters rather than strict adherence to their animated appearances. This live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” is poised to offer a fresh perspective, with Parker’s portrayal of Astrid as a key element of its new vision.
