Director Dean DeBlois and Gerard Butler hope for Cate Blanchett to return as Valka in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon sequel.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, director Dean DeBlois and returning star Gerard Butler sat down with us to talk all things vikings and dragons. They both offer exciting insights into the future of the beloved franchise, including the strong possibility of a familiar face joining the cast for the already-in-the-works sequel.
Will Cate Blanchett Join The Cast Of The Live-Action How To Train Your Dragon 2?
Gerard Butler reprising his iconic role as Stoick the Vast was the perfect casting choice. He embodies Stoick, and says he had a great time reprising the role and getting to actually step in to the world of How To Train Your Dragon. Of course there was no way I could chat with the people behind this film and not ask about the potential return of Cate Blanchett as Valka, Stoick’s wife, a role she originated in the animated How to Train Your Dragon 2.
When asked about the chances of Blanchett reprising her role in live-action, Dean DeBlois’ response was filled with hope. “Hope,” he declared, echoing the sentiment of many fans. “I wrote the role for Cate, actually,” he reveals.
Well, seeing as my boys are a fan of How to Train Your Dragon 1, we should talk. – Cate Blanchett
DeBlois then shared a charming anecdote about how he first approached the Oscar-winning actress. “That’s my most Hollywood moment,” he recounted with a smile. “I walked up to her at the Oscars and she was sipping a drink in her beautiful gown and her hair before the ceremony started. And I said, ‘I wrote a part for you in How to Train Your Dragon 2.’ And she had the best answer. She said, ‘Well, seeing as my boys are a fan of How to Train Your Dragon 1, we should talk.'”
Gerard Butler, who shares a poignant on-screen relationship with Valka as Stoick, also weighed in on the possibility of Blanchett’s return. “I saw a note that she sent Dean saying that she really enjoyed the movie, and it felt like she thoroughly enjoyed it, so that’s, like you say, knock-on-wood that she’ll be there for the second, because it would be, it’s such a beautiful relationship between Valka and Stoick, so it would be amazing for it to be Cate.”
When asked about the prospect of acting opposite her, Butler’s admiration was clear. “I’d love to, she’s amazing,” he enthused. “I mean, I can’t imagine on this planet, if you ask anybody about Cate Blanchett, how anybody couldn’t say anything other than, ‘Wow, she’s incredible.'”
The connection between Stoick and Valka is a cornerstone of the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, and the prospect of Cate Blanchett bringing that beautiful and unforgettable relationship to life in the live-action sequel has undoubtedly ignited excitement among fans. While nothing is officially confirmed, the hopeful words from both the director and Stoick himself suggest that the winds are blowing favorably for Valka’s return to the big screen, with Cate Blanchett once again at the helm.
Be sure to watch our full interviews with the How To Train Your Dragon (2025) cast and director for behind-the-scenes information, tips for Epic Universe, and so much more.
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About How To Train Your Dragon
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon.
Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society. With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.
As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.
How To Train Your Dragon (2025) soars into theaters June 13.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.