Latest news with #OlParker
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘How to Train Your Dragon' Star Nico Parker Says ‘I Just Don't Care' That People Are Upset Over Her Casting: ‘I Can't Value Your Opinion on My Hair'
Nico Parker is paying no mind to those who are upset about her casting in the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon.' In a recent interview with The Times of London, Parker addressed the online backlash surrounding her casting as the young dragon butt kicker Astrid. Some were upset that Parker doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes like the character in the original animated 'How to Train Your Dragon.' However, the 20-year-old British actress explained that she does not let those comments get to her head. More from Variety 'How to Train Your Dragon' Soars to Korea Box Office Crown 'How to Train Your Dragon' Review: DreamWorks Swoops Into the Remake Game With Respectful Cover From Co-Director of 2010 Toon Live-Action 'How To Train Your Dragon' Among Additions to Annecy Lineup 'There's 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,' she said. 'But for the people that just hate inclusivity, hate change — when it comes to that side of things, I just don't care.' She continued, '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 comes from a family of filmmakers. Her father is director Ol Parker and her mother is actress Thandiwe Newton. She added that when she was younger, the representation in Hollywood of 'mixed race or Black icons' was 'really minimal,' but thinks it's 'really special' to see how far the industry has come. 'There's still a long way to go — for women in general, in terms of new parts, original material and female-led stories,' Parker added. 'But I think that everything's changing. I'd like to think that I could contribute to that change at some point.' The original 'How to Train Your Dragon,' loosely adapted from the 2003 children's book by Cressida Cowell, was released in 2010 and went on to gross a massive $495 million worldwide. Leading cast members included Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler and America Ferrera. In his review for the new live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon,' which hits theaters June 13, Variety film critic Peter Debruge praised Parker's performance, writing, 'The swaggering Astrid was always the film's most self-reliant character, and in Parker's hands, the romance between her and Hiccup takes on Clark Kent-Lois Lane vibes, especially when the two hit the skies.' Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nepo baby Nico Parker wows in a strapless bandage mini dress at How To Train Your Dragon premiere in NYC
Nepo baby Nico Parker looked incredible in a LBD as she attended the How To Train Your Dragon premiere at SVA Theatre in New York on Wednesday. The daughter of Emmy winner Thandiwe Newton, 52, and writer/director Ol Parker, 56, was the epitome of chic in the bandage black dress. Nico plays Astrid, who was depicted as a young blonde Viking in the 2010 animated version of the film as well as its sequels. The actress teamed her stunning ensemble with chunky earrings and elevated her frame with stylish black heels. Nico hit back at critics objecting to her taking on the lead role in How To Train Your Dragon. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. After some fans took umbrage with Nico - who is of Zimbabwean descent through her mother - not having Astrid's 's original blonde hair and blue eyes, she slammed trolls 'hating inclusivity' and having an 'opinion on her hair'. 'There's 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,' Nico said in an interview with T he London Times. 'But for the people that just hate inclusivity, hate change — when it comes to that side of things, I just don't care,' she asserted. 'If I wouldn't value your opinion on most things in life,' and getting to the root of some of the backlash she's received added, 'I can't value your opinion on my hair. If I did, I would go mad.' Nico, who was brought up in London, said seeing other people of colour on screen was useful. '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 told the outlet. 'There's still a long way to go — for women in general, in terms of new parts, original material and female-led stories. But I think that everything's changing. I'd like to think that I could contribute to that change at some point.' In the 2010 animated How to Train Your Dragon and the 2014 and 2019 sequels Astrid was voiced by Latina actress America Ferrera. Nico's first role was in Disney's live-action Dumbo, which she said she auditioned for on a whim. 'By the time we got on set [in 2017], I remember being, like, "This is what I want to do all the time.:' she said of her 12-year-old self. Since then she has gone on to star in Reminiscence and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. One role, a two episode run in The Last of US, was a special experience for her, and she had high praise for star Pedro Pascal. 'He is one of the best people ever. He really is as special as you think he would be. I was 16 when I filmed The Last of US and it was a bit of a weird time of life in general, and I feel like I came into the job on a bit of an odd footing. I don't have enough words to describe how grateful I am that he was there.' How to Train Your Dragon is expected to fly to the top of the box office after it's released on Friday. The action-adventure stars Mason Thames, 17, as Hiccup, with Gerard Butler reprising his role as his blusterous dad Stoick. 'I remember seeing how many views the trailer got and I was, like, "What is happening?" To me, I think for everyone who grew up with the films, it feels very personal,' she said. Based on the performance of the three previous films, the reimagined version is expected to pull in somewhere between $80 million and $100 million domestically according to Box Office Pro. Universal Pictures has already announced a sequel to the anticipated blockbuster. 'They announced a release date and I was like, "Well, that's quite soon,"' Parker said.
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Nico Parker hits back at How to Train Your Dragon abuse
The 20-year-old star - who is the daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton, 52, and director Ol Parker, 56 - is playing Astrid Hofferson in the live version adaptation of the classic DreamWorks animation. America Ferrera voiced the original version of Astrid in the 2010 animated film, but when Nico's casting was announced she became the target of racist abuse. Speaking to The Times, the rising star hit back at those who tried to demean her over her role while discussing the upcoming release.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nepo baby Nico Parker hits back at backlash over her casting in blockbuster How to Train Your Dragon
Nepo baby Nico Parker has hit back at critics objecting to her taking on the lead role in How To Train Your Dragon. Parker, 20, who is the daughter of Emmy winner Thandiwe Newton, 52, and writer/director Ol Parker, 56 - plays Astrid, who was depicted as a young blonde Viking in the 2010 animated version of the film as well as its sequels. After some fans took umbrage with Parker - who is of Zimbabwean descent through her mother - not having Astrid's 's original blonde hair and blue eyes, she slammed trolls 'hating inclusivity' and having an 'opinion on her hair'. 'There's 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 said in an interview with T he London Times. 'But for the people that just hate inclusivity, hate change — when it comes to that side of things, I just don't care,' she asserted. 'If I wouldn't value your opinion on most things in life,' and getting to the root of some of the backlash she's received added, 'I can't value your opinion on my hair. If I did, I would go mad.' Parker, who was brought up in London, said seeing other people of color on screen was useful. '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 told the outlet. 'There's still a long way to go — for women in general, in terms of new parts, original material and female-led stories. But I think that everything's changing. I'd like to think that I could contribute to that change at some point.' In the 2010 animated How to Train Your Dragon and the 2014 and 2019 sequels Astrid was voiced by Latina actress America Ferrera. Parker's first role was in Disney's live-action Dumbo, which she said she auditioned for on a whim. 'By the time we got on set [in 2017], I remember being, like, "This is what I want to do all the time.:' she said of her 12-year-old self. Since then she has gone on to star in Reminiscence and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. One role, a two episode run in The Last of US, was a special experience for her, and she had high praise for star Pedro Pascal. 'He is one of the best people ever. He really is as special as you think he would be. I was 16 when I filmed The Last of US and it was a bit of a weird time of life in general, and I feel like I came into the job on a bit of an odd footing. I don't have enough words to describe how grateful I am that he was there.' How to Train Your Dragon is expected to fly to the top of the box office after it's released on Friday. The action-adventure stars Mason Thames, 17, as Hiccup, with Gerard Butler reprising his role as his blusterous dad Stoick. 'I remember seeing how many views the trailer got and I was, like, "What is happening?" To me, I think for everyone who grew up with the films, it feels very personal,' she said. Based on the performance of the three previous films, the reimagined version is expected to pull in somewhere between $80 million and $100 million domestically according to Box Office Pro. Universal Pictures has already announced a sequel to the anticipated blockbuster. 'They announced a release date and I was like, "Well, that's quite soon,"' Parker said.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
How to Train Your Dragon star doesn't care if ‘people hate inclusivity'
Nico Parker, daughter of Thandiwe Newton and director Ol Parker, co-leads the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon alongside Mason Thames. Parker addressed backlash over her casting as Astrid, a traditionally blonde Viking warrior, stating she doesn't care about opinions rooted in hate or lack of inclusivity. Parker highlights the importance of on-screen representation for mixed-race and Black individuals, noting progress but acknowledging there's still a long way to go for women in film. The How to Train Your Dragon remake, based on the 2010 animated movie and Cressida Cowell's book, also stars Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role as Stoick. The remake has received mixed reviews, with The Independent critic Clarisse Loughrey calling it a pointless and depressing copy, lacking originality and visual appeal.
