Currently writing, directing and executive producing How to Train Your Dragon 2, Canadian-born Dean DeBlois is equally at home in the worlds of live-action and animation filmmaking. Although already an accomplished animator and writer at the time the film became a worldwide hit, he is perhaps best known for writing and directing Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Lilo & Stitch with Chris Sanders. Dean later stepped behind the live-action camera to direct the indie critical darling Heima, which documents alternative/post-rock band Sigur Rós’ series of free, unannounced concerts performed in their home country of Iceland. He also previously served as head of story on the Disney hit Mulan.
Dean once again collaborated with Chris Sanders to write and direct the 3D animated fantasy adventure comedy How to Train Your Dragon for DreamWorks Animation. In addition, Dean is set to write, produce and direct the live-action comedy The Banshee and Finn Magee. In addition, he has several live-action projects in development at Universal Studios and The Walt Disney Studio, on which he is serving as writer, director and producer.
Dean started his career at Hinton Animation Studios and worked as animator on the television series The Raccoons. He next joined Don Bluth’s Sullivan Bluth Studios in Ireland and worked on the animated features Thumbelina and A Troll in Central Park.
