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Amid this positive momentum, a recent controversy emerged surrounding the casting of Nico Parker as Astrid, Hiccup's love interest. This issue became a focal point just days before the film's release, stirring online debates about representation and authenticity.
In the original animated movies, Astrid is depicted with blonde hair and blue eyes, fitting a specific visual archetype. Nico Parker, however, is a mixed-race actress, with her mother reportedly being half-black. She herself is very light-skinned and chose to speak out publicly about the backlash. Her comments were somewhat provocative—she stated, "I just don't care that people are upset over her casting. I can't value your opinion on my hair."