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Major congratulations are in order for Nico Parker as she has been tapped to star in the upcoming live action rendition of the hit animated series, How To Train Your Dragon.
Fresh off of her HBO success in The Last of Us, the tremendously talented 18-year-old will portray Astrid in Universal’s live action remake of the blockbuster DreamWorks Animation movies.
If you aren’t quite familiar with the original DreamWorks Animation films, Deadline gives us a brief synopsis to catch you up.
The original DreamWorks Animation’s animated epic was first introduced, fans have been captivated by the unlikely friendship of an adolescent Viking and a fearsome Night Fury dragon and the astonishing adventures of Hiccup and Toothless. The franchise has been lauded with four Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award for the second filmed chapter.
The franchise is based on the best-selling books series by Cressida Cowell with Deblois also writing and Marc Platt producing for Marc Platt Productions alongside Adam Siegel, President of Marc Platt Productions. Vice President of Production Development Lexi Barta will oversee the film on behalf of the Studio.
The original films grossed more than $1.6 billion.
Parker is the daughter of veteran actress Thandiwe Newton and writer/director Ol Parker. Recently, the young actress sat down with The Cut, speaking to them about her feelings on being a “nepo baby,” stating that she sympathizes with celebrity off-spring who feel as if the term “minimizes” their hard work outside of their famous parents’ influence. Yet, she agrees that having famous parents definitely makes it “easier to get in the room.”
“…I think it’s incredibly important to recognize that with your parents being prevalent in the industry, it’s way easier to get in the room,” Parker said in her interview. “It’s so important to know how many people would dream of being in that room, and how lucky you are to be there … Especially when you start, your parents know people, and you’ve known people since you were small, and they want to give you a chance because they like you. That is a reflection of your parents.”
Parker’s made her acting debut in Tim Burton’s live-action take on Disney’s Dumbo. Fast-forward and in addition to The Last of Us, Parker also recently starred in another HBO television series, The Third Day. In addition to her upcoming How To Train Your Dragon project, Parker will also star in an upcoming project, Suncoast, opposite Woody Harrelson and Laura Linney.
How To Train Your Dragon will be directed by Dean DeBlois. The film is set to hit the big screen March, 14, 2025.
Photo Credit(s)/Featured Image: Nico Parker Instagram; @hhtydragon Instagram
