How To Train Your Dragon Writer and Director Prepares for the Trilogy’s End

Recently, Dean DeBlois, the mind behind the How to Train Your Dragon films, sat down with Collider to discuss The Hidden World and closing the trilogy. It has been emotional for all of us to realize that this series is coming to an end. We have seen these characters grow old, change, come and go. We have witnessed the evolution of a society that once fought off dragons to one that will go to war to protect them. But as much as we may not want this story to end, we look anxiously toward the final installment. In his interview, DeBlois gave some clues to the plot of The Hidden World, and we can’t help but speculate. Here are some of the coolest things he mentioned and what we think they mean for the third and final installment of the franchise.

“There were dragons when I was a boy. Where they went, only a few know. Our story changed the world forever,” an aged Hiccup says in the trailer released a week ago. According to DeBlois, these words tell us a lot about where the story is headed. It turns out that the line was inspired by the opening of the book series the films are based on by Cressida Cowell. In the novel, Hiccup begins his story by harkening back to when he used to walk side-by-side with them. The book series’ main purpose “was to explain what happened to dragons and why they are no more.” That introduces the terrible notion that this final film might mark the end of dragons. I could see myself shedding a tear or two by the end credits.

But on a happier note, all of us want to know more about the Light Fury and her relationship with Toothless. DeBlois said that while that storyline is more of a “subplot.” Light Fury’s appearances are meant to drive the plot. Her emergence, and Toothless’ desire to be with her force Hiccup to do something he’s never had to fully do: face his insecurities without his dragon. In each film Hiccup’s character has grown, and this seems to be his final transition toward being the Chief he’s meant to become.

Throughout the  interview, DeBlois’ tone was quite reflective. He has spent ten years of his life working on these films, with many of the same crew members. “It’s been an amazing ride,” he said, “but it’s certainly gonna be a bittersweet one.”

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World flies into theaters in March, 2019.

Featured Image: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Courtesy: Dreamworks Animation