Live-Action ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Among Additions to Annecy Lineup

A preview of writer/director Dean DeBlois’ upcoming live action reimaging of “How to Train Your Dragon” from Universal has been added to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival lineup.

Dreamworks Animation’s 2010 original, based on Cressida Cowell’s book series, was written and directed by DeBlois and Chris Sandlers, and DeBlois wrote and helmed the following two movies to complete the trilogy. The new film will screen at Annecy on June 11, in advance of its June 13 U.S. release.

A Paramount & Nickelodeon Animation presentation has also been added to the festival schedule, featuring upcoming “Smurfs,” directed by Chris Miller (“Puss in Boots”) and “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” helmed by Derek Drymon. A pair of shorts, “SpongeBob: Order Up,” directed by Sean Charmatz and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey,” directed by Kent Seki, will also highlight the June 10 session.

A first look at Paul McCartney’s 3D animated film “High in the Cloud” helmed by Toby Genkel is also joining the lineup. It’s recently-announced all star cast includes Celine Dion, Himesh Patel, Hannah Waddingham, Idris Elba, Lionel Richie, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Fallon, Clémence Poésy, Pom Klementieff and Alain Chabat. Gaumont is producing and repping internationally, and Gaumont’s president of global animation and family Terry Kalagian will be at Annecy for the presentation, alongside project supervisor Christian De Vita.

Lastly, “Predator: Killer of Killers” an original adventure set in the Predators universe, written by Dan Trachtenberg and co-directed by Josh Wassung, has joined the Annecy program. The movie debuts June 6 Hulu.