As previously reported, DreamWorks has teamed up with Global Creatures to create a $20 million theatrical adaptation for unexpected hit How To Train Your Dragon, and it’s premièring this March in Melbourne. Global Creatures is the company behind Walking With Dinosaurs, and given this first look at the team-up, they do not disappoint in conveying how fucking scary dragons are in (fake) real life.
The adorable Toothless is nowhere to be seen in this preview, and all we see from Hiccup is his bizarre attempt to build up the courage to confront the giant dragon by doing The Worm, and then running away in terror. But who can blame him? The puppet for the dragon is grade-A nightmare food, sauntering around the stage in circles, shooting out excessive flames, and making the most unsettling noises this side of Cloverfield.
It remains to be seen if the full production will rightfully capture the winning tone and sentiment of the original film, but for now, we can rest easy knowing there are gigantic live-action dragon puppets that will haunt small children for generations to come. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what really matters?