Just when we thought the hell hole that is the year 2016 couldn’t get any worse, DreamWorks Animation has gone and confirmed that How To Train Your Dragon 3‘s release date has been pushed back.
Previously set to open in cinemas on 18 May 2018, the animated sequel is being delayed by almost a year. Its new release date is 1 March 2019.
How To Train Your Dragon 3 was originally supposed to be going up against the as yet untitled Han Solo Star Wars spin-off film, opening a week beforehand. The move hasn’t eliminated the chance of competition, however; HTTYD3 will now open a week before Marvel’s Captain Marvel.
The reason for the delay could be put down to media conglomerate Comcast’s $3.8 billion purchase of the DreamWorks Animation studio, which will bring it into the Universal family alongside Illumination Entertainment, the studio responsible for the Despicable Me films and this year’s furry hit The Secret Life Of Pets.
It’s not all rubbish news though; Dean DeBlois, who helmed the previous two How To Train Your Dragon movies, is returning as director and writer for the newest addition to the franchise.
Jay Baruchel, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Christoper Mintz-Plasse, Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, TJ Miller and Djimon Hounsou make up the voice cast.
How To Train Your Dragon 3 is in cinemas from 1 March 2018. Get all the latest fantasy news with every issue of SciFiNow.
