On September 23, 2019, "The Hollywood Reporter" announced that Dean DeBlois will be the writer and director of the film, making his first foray into live action filmmaking in the tradition of such animation veterans who tried live action, such as his Lilo & Stitch co-writing and co-directing partner Chris Sanders, Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge, and Toy Story 4 helmer Josh Cooley as well as The Angry Birds Movie helmers Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly, The Lego Ninjago Movie director Charlie Bean and Kubo and the Two Strings director and Laika CEO and president Travis Knight.