'How to Train your Dragon 3' Pushed Back to 2017

It was a bit of a tougher slog on the domestic front for Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon 2, which got out of the gates slow and failed to surpass the stateside numbers of the hit 2010 film. But internationally was a whole different story and Hiccup's latest adventure really hit with audiences, surpassing the $600M mark worldwide over Labor Day weekend. And Dreamworks, perhaps guessing the best time to drop some bad news is in the midst of some good news, has revealed that the next film has been pushed back considerably.

How to Train Your Dragon 3, which had been set for June 17th 2016, has been bumped an entire year to June 9th 2017. No reason was given for the move but perhaps they were looking to escape Pixar's Finding Dory, which they would have gone head-to-head. Their new date is free of competition at this point but scoring a strong second week's box office may be tough as one of Pixar's mystery films is slated for June 16th 2017.

Dean DeBlois, who wrote and directed the first two movies, will be back for How to Train Your Dragon 3 along with all of the original voice cast.

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Cinema Royale #66- How to Train Your Dragon 2; 22 Jump Street

On this week's Cinema Royale, director Dean DeBlois stops by to talk about his soaring new sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2! We'll take a look at the thrilling new chapter in Hiccup and Toothless' journey! Plus, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are back for 22 Jump Street as they go undercover and blow stuff up real good in college!

+Jeffrey Lyles  of Lyles' Movie Files drops by to talk HTTYD2 and breakdown this week's huge news regarding Warner Bros.' DC Comics movies!

Cinema Royale is part of the Hashtag Studios Broadcast Network and brings you movie reviews and news straight from the Nation's Capital! Go to www.cinemaroyaleshow.com and subscribe, and while there consider signing up for the premium service for more content and to be entered in our monthly prize drawing!

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Interview: Dean DeBlois Talks 'How to Train Your Dragon 2', Making Hiccup's World Bigger, and Sequel Plans

A lot has changed in the four years since How to Train Your Dragon came out of nowhere and really gave Dreamworks their first film that could stand up to the mighty Pixar. What began is a single film has grown into a full-blown franchise with video games, toys, and an animated TV series, all of which elevated expectations for this weekend's How to Train Your Dragon 2.

Writer/director Dean DeBlois also had high expectations for the sequel, and he set out to make this second chapter of the planned trilogy larger in scope, more mature, and as exciting as the first. And that also meant progressing the friendship between Hiccup and his loyal pet dragon, Toothless, as well as Hiccup's relationship with his father, Chief Stoic. The result is a film that I think will almost certainly be amongst the best animated movies of the year.

Along with my colleague Tim Gordon, I had a chance to sit down with DeBlois and talk about How to Train Your Dragon 2, the dragon design and introduction of new characters, and plans for the third movie in 2016. And yes, we did it all in viking helmets. You can watch that interview below, and check out my review of the film here.

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Review: 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'

When How to Train Your Dragon went on to be a smash and rival Pixar's Toy Story 3 at the Oscars, it must have shocked Dreamworks Animation as much as it did everyone else. The studio had been around probably a lot longer than many thought, and for every creative and box office success like Shrek or Kung Fu Panda, there were numerous other retreads and copycats. Anybody remember MegaMind? Didn't think so. But sequels have proven especially difficult, with few ever coming close to matching the original. Does the string of bad luck continue with How to Train Your Dragon 2?

The answer is a resounding "No" as How to Train Your Dragon 2 is bigger and soars higher than the first and will undoubtedly be one of the year's best animated features. Dean DeBlois takes the directing reins solo this time, and rather than coasting along with what worked before he's expanded and evolved the 'Dragon' universe into someplace unpredictable and dangerous.

Five years have passed and Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is on a different sort of journey, one where he is literally charting a new world astride his dragon pal, Toothless. The rough-housing Viking village of Berk has changed more than Hiccup's slick new armor, with the townspeople living in peace with the dragons they once hated. Astrid (America Ferrera) is now firmly his woman, the people respect him (mostly), and now his father Stoic wants him to take over the role of Chief. Is he ready to handle that kind of responsibility? Does he even want to be Chief? Hiccup must again decide whether to be his own viking or follow in his father's footsteps.

The emotional throughline may be familiar, but honestly it's probably going to be a theme throughout the entire franchise, and it resonates due to a screenplay that throws many unexpected twists into the mix. On one of Hiccup's outings he encounters a group of dragon trappers led by the brash Eret (Kit Harington), who is ensnaring the creatures for Drago Bludvist (Djimon Hounsou), a man building up an army. But while Drago's plans are for evil, Hiccup also encounters the mysterious Valka (Cate Blanchett), a hermit hidden away in an icy cave where she has created a dragon sanctuary of sorts. This isn't about changing the hearts and minds of the Berk people anymore, Hiccup must try and prevent full-scale war while also finding out the secrets to his past.

In some ways the film follows the typical path set by most follow-ups in that there are deeper questions, more characters, and bigger action in the 'Empire Strikes Back' mold. And that also means some of the humor slips into the background, or at least it seems to be relegated to Hiccup's pals (voiced by TJ Miller, Kristen Wiig, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and more) who seem to be around only to appease younger viewers. That's not to say there aren't plenty of laughs, but this is definitely the dark middle chapter of a larger story, one where Hiccup again endures terrible and shocking loss that may be tough for younger audiences. We don't get to see nearly enough of Hiccup and Astrid as a couple, which would have made for a nice parallel with another romantic relationship rekindled in the film. More interesting and explored in greater detail is the bond between Hiccup and Toothless which is stronger than ever but still somewhat tenuous and easily manipulated. Drago, a villain of uncertain ethnic origin, is impressive only in his physical and mental dominion over pretty much everybody, but giving him a stronger motivation would have made an already-great film even better.

And of course the film is a visual stunner with aerial sequences that will take your breath away, and many of the dogfights (dragonfights?) have that Star Wars sizzle; you'd think they were piloting X-wing fighters. Even during the slower moments it's worth taking time to just soak up the surroundings and take in the lush colors and unique creature design. Roger Deakins (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men) had a hand in crafting the film's look and the result stands apart from anything we've seen from Dreamworks before. With heart and action to spare, How to Train Your Dragon 2 reaches incredible heights.

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