In March 2007, Chris Sanders (Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Lion King (1994), Mulan (1998), Lilo & Stitch (2002)) joined DreamWorks to direct the film, with intentions to significantly rewrite the script. In September 2008, it was reported that Sanders took over How to Train Your Dragon (2010) putting The Croods on hold, and thus postponing its original schedule for a year to a then planned March 2012. The film's final title, The Croods (2013), was revealed in May 2009, along with new co-director, Kirk De Micco. In March 2011, the film got another delay, being pushed back a year to March 1, 2013, and finally settled at March 22.