After bringing the animated classicHow to Train Your Dragonto live-action, DreamWorks and Universal have plans to remake the sequel withHow to Train Your Dragon 2. Since debuting in 2010 with its first film, the series has become one of the most beloved and successful franchises that DreamWorks Animation has ever produced. The original animatedHow to Train Your Dragontrilogyran until 2019, and it seemed the franchise ended on a high note with the third movie.
However, the 2025 remake directed by Dean DeBlois initiated the process of adapting Hiccup and Toothless’s saga for live-action, withHow to Train Your Dragon 2serving as the second installment of the new trilogy. While thelive-actionHow to Train Your Dragondidn’t make that many changesto the original story, it’s unknown how much the sequel will differ from its source material. Nevertheless, it is clear the filmmakers have big plans for their epic fantasy follow-up.
The Latest How To Train Your Dragon 2 News
Cate Blanchett May Star In The Live-Action Sequel, But It’s Too Early To Tell
DeBlois revealed toComicBook.comin June thatHow to Train Your Dragon 2is still in the “early days” of production. This was expected, given that he stated this during the first film’s opening week. Nevertheless, DeBlois shared his hope thatCate Blanchett would reprise her rolefrom the animated trilogy as Hiccup’s mother, Valka Haddock.
ThoughBlanchett hasn’t been confirmed for the sequel yet, DeBlois thinks she is waiting for a script, having told her that the role of Valka will “always be hers to turn down first.” For example, despite this uncertainty, DeBlois was able to convince Gerard Butler to reprise his role as Stoick from the animated films. Since he brought Butler back, DeBlois could also get Blanchett to return as Valka. Considering the upcoming movie’s release date, the production will need to cast her soon rather than later so that production can get underway.
How To Train Your Dragon 2 Confirmation
The Sequel Was Revealed Before The Original Film Even Came Out
At CinemaCon in April 2025, Universal Pictures announced that they are developing a live-action remake of 2014’sHow to Train Your Dragon 2. The fact thatthis sequel film was announced before the first live-action movie even premiered in theatersdemonstrates the filmmakers' confidence in successfully recreating the animated trilogy. This was coupled with the first screening of the newHow to Train Your Dragon, which was greeted with positive responses from viewers.
According toVariety,DeBlois shared his excitement about creatingHow to Train Your Dragon 2after announcing it during the CinemaCon presentation. After screeningHow to Train Your Dragonto much fanfare, the director said he was thrilled to give theaters a “big summer title in two years' time.” Indeed, the sequel was given its release date at the same time as its announcement.
How To Train Your Dragon 2 Release Date
The Second Remake Is Coming In 2027
The live-action remake ofHow to Train Your Dragon 2will premiere in theaters on August 01, 2025, just two years after the release of the franchise’s first remake. This release date also putsHow to Train Your Dragon 2a week after the currently-scheduledpremiere of Sony’sSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, giving it considerable competition in theaters during summer 2027. However, their release dates being so close to each other has the potential for audiences to enjoy an exciting double feature akin to 2023’s “Barbenheimer” sensation. Currently, theHow to Train Your Dragonfranchise includes:
2010
99%
2014
92%
2019
90%
2025
78%
Thoughit took four years after its predecessor for the animatedHow to Train Your Dragon 2to be released, the remake already seems to have a story planned out, making it easier to develop. The same is true with casting, as much of the core cast from the first film is expected to return. Likewise, producing a live-action/animated movie is easier to complete than a fully animated feature, since the former doesn’t require fully rendered environments and characters.
How To Train Your Dragon 2 Cast Details
Are Actors From The First Remake And The Second Animated Film Returning?
It hasn’t been confirmed whether thecast of 2025’sHow to Train Your Dragonwill reprise their roles for the sequel. However, given the plot of 2014’sHow to Train Your Dragon 2, it’s a safe bet that Hiccup, Astrid, Stoick, and their Viking peers will return for the next remake. Sincethe sequel introduced multiple new characters to the franchise, particularly Valka, 2027’sHow to Train Your Dragon 2will likely do the same, particularly if it intends to expand upon the sequel’s story and lore. The presumptive cast ofHow to Train Your Dragon 2, as it stands now, includes:
Harry Trevaldwyn
Tuffnut Thorston
Likewise,the second animated film introduced characters like the villainous Drago Bludvist and Eret, played by Djimon Hounsou and Kit Harington, respectively. If the sequel could bring Butler and Blanchett back to the franchise, it could also feature Hounsou and Harington reprising their roles for the live-action remake as well. In order to make its 2027 release date, production will have to begin either at some point this year, or very early in 2026, so additional casting details should be announced in the coming months.
How To Train Your Dragon 2 Story Details
It Seems Like The Live-Action Sequel Will Adapt The Animated Source Material
While the story ofHow to Train Your Dragon 2is unconfirmed, it’s safe to say that it will be mostly the same as its animated counterpart. The live-action remake is a near shot-to-shot remake of the 2010 animated film’s story, preserving the original narrative with only minor revisions. It appears that the 2027 sequel will follow the same approach to adapting 2014’sHow to Train Your Dragon 2,which featured a darker tone comparable toThe Empire Strikes Back.
Like in the original trilogy, the remake reveals that Valka is believed to have been killed by a dragon, setting up her live-action appearance in the sequel.
The animated sequel saw a 20-year-old Hiccup, unsure of whether he could be the next Viking chief of Berk,reuniting with his long-lost mother, Valka, and trying to stop the warlord Dragofrom enslaving all dragons with his giant Bewilderbeast. Like in the original trilogy, the remake reveals that Valka is believed to have been killed by a dragon, setting up her live-action appearance in the sequel.
Staying true to the original story would allowHow to Train Your Dragon 2to please fans of the animated film, and continue the story afterHow To Train Your Dragon’s ending. On the other hand, it would be interesting to see how the sequel could build upon and improve the animated film’s story. Since DeBlois can draw on the public’s feedback about the original film, the director can create a remake that addresses its flaws while retaining what audiences loved about it.
