Cate Blanchett Returns as Valka in Live-Action Dragon Sequel

Universal’s live-action adaptation of the beloved dragon saga is gathering momentum, with another familiar face stepping back into the fray. The studio, having made its intentions clear at Cinema Con in April 2025, is pressing ahead with a follow-up to its recent fantasy adventure. The next chapter, a reimagining of the animated classic, is pencilled in for a June 2027 debut.

Stepping into the spotlight once more, Cate Blanchett will reprise her role as Valka, the enigmatic dragon rescuer and long-lost mother of Hiccup. Blanchett, who first lent her voice to the character in the 2014 animated feature, now joins the ranks of actors making the leap from animation to live-action. Gerard Butler, who previously voiced Stoic, has already returned to embody the character on screen.

Blanchett’s Storied Career and the Expanding Cast

With a career spanning decades and a trophy cabinet boasting two Academy Awards, Blanchett’s return is hardly a surprise. Her performances in 'The Aviator' and 'Blue Jasmine' earned her Oscar glory, while roles in 'Tár', 'Carol', and the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy have cemented her as a household name. More recently, she’s appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s 'Black Bag' and Jim Jarmusch’s 'Father Mother Sister Brother'.

She’ll be in good company. The cast list features Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, and, of course, Gerard Butler. Dean DeBlois, who helmed both the original animated sequel and the first live-action instalment, is back in the director’s chair.

From Animation to Live-Action: A Franchise’s Journey

The original 'How To Train Your Dragon 2' soared into cinemas in June 2014, earning critical plaudits and, for some, even surpassing its predecessor. The film raked in $622 million globally and picked up a nomination for Best Animated Film at the 87th Academy Awards. It also took home the Golden Globe and Annie Award for Best Animated Feature.

The live-action adaptation, which arrived in June 2025, marked fifteen years since the franchise’s animated debut. It proved a box office draw, pulling in $262 million domestically and securing a spot among the year’s top earners. Worldwide, it amassed $636 million, landing at number eight for the year. Universal, buoyed by these figures, appears keen to round out the trilogy with a live-action take on 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World'.

Audience Reception and the Remake Debate

Questions have inevitably surfaced about the necessity of yet another live-action retelling. Yet, the latest adaptation of DreamWorks’ hit managed to charm viewers, notching up a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes—six points higher than the original.

“It may cause plenty of people to declare Hollywood ‘creatively bankrupt,’ but if it pleases audiences and creates a box office hit, there is clearly a demand out there waiting to be met. Studios are therefore only happy to oblige.”

Perhaps, when handled with a light touch and a respect for the source material, some stories do warrant a second outing. For now, fans can look forward to seeing Blanchett and company breathe new life into a much-loved tale, with dragons set to take flight once again in 2027.