Bryce Dallas Howard: ‘Pete’s Dragon’ Remake is Different From 1977 Original

This weekend, Disney’s Pete’s Dragon, a remake of the 1977 film of the same name, arrives into theaters. The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard as a forest ranger who finds a young boy (Oakes Fegley) who claims to live in the forest with a giant dragon named Elliott. Howard was a big fan of the original Pete’s Dragon, so it was a dream come true for her to star in the remake.

“[1977’s Pete’s Dragon] was just like one of those movies that you watch over and over again,” Howard shared with BackstageOL’s Dave Morales. “And it was one of the earliest Disney films that actually combined live action with animation…so that was kind of like a crazy moment as a child, you know, a wish fulfillment. You see a real boy and a dragon.”

Howard also revealed why she likes the new reboot:

“I love how different it is because it doesn’t step on…my memories of the original,” she said. “And other than the title and the central characters of Pete and Elliott and the themes that are present within the film, it is truly a departure and it’s its own thing. It’s its own original story…and I’m so sentimental about it.”

“It’s a magical film,” she added. “It’s a really, really wonderful movie, and I’m so proud of it.”

Watch the full interview below: