Universal Pictures has announced that Gerard Butler will reprise his role as Stoick in the upcoming live-action sequel to How to Train Your Dragon, set for release on June 11, 2027. This continuation, following the 2025 live-action remake, will adapt the story of the original animated How to Train Your Dragon 2, bringing familiar characters back to life for fans worldwide.
Returning Cast Members Join the Live-Action Sequel
Alongside Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett will return to play Valka, Hiccup’s long-lost mother, reprising her role from the 2014 animated How to Train Your Dragon 2. Blanchett, a celebrated actress with eight Academy Award nominations and two wins, is well-known for her roles in films like The Aviator, Blue Jasmine, Thor: Ragnarok, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. She joins a cast that includes Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, and Harry Trevaldwyn.
Director Dean DeBlois, who helmed both the original animated sequel and the 2025 live-action film, is returning to oversee the new installment. His involvement ensures continuity between the beloved animated story and its live-action adaptation.
Legacy and Success of the Original Animated Film
The 2014 animated How to Train Your Dragon 2 was critically praised, with many reviewers noting it surpassed the quality of the original film. It earned $622 million worldwide and received nominations for Best Animated Film at the 87th Academy Awards. The film also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature and the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature Film, cementing its status as a major success for DreamWorks.
Reception and Impact of the Live-Action Remake
The live-action adaptation, released in June 2025, performed strongly at the box office. It earned $262 million domestically and a total of $636 million worldwide, ranking eighth globally and placing in the top ten highest-grossing films of the year. This financial success has encouraged Universal to pursue a live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, intending to complete the trilogy.
Despite skepticism around the need for live-action remakes of animated classics, the new How to Train Your Dragon amassed a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing the original’s rating by six percent. This reception demonstrates that faithful adaptations can resonate well with audiences, balancing respect for the source material with contemporary filmmaking techniques.
Main Cast of the Upcoming Sequel
- Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
- Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson
- Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast
- Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch
Continuing the Story and Expectations for the Future
With key actors like Gerard Butler and Cate Blanchett returning, the live-action sequel is poised to maintain the emotional depth and adventure that defined the original animated film. Dean DeBlois’s continued direction suggests a careful adaptation that honors the source material while expanding its reach. Given the commercial success of the first live-action entry and the positive audience response, the upcoming film is expected to satisfy longtime fans and newcomers alike.
“Blanchett is the second actor from the franchise to reprise their role in live-action, following Gerard Butler, who returned to play Stoic after voicing the character in the animated trilogy.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“The original How to Train Your Dragon 2 opened in theaters on June 13, 2014, and was critically acclaimed, with many even saying it was better than the first film.” – Source Content
“The live-action How to Train Your Dragon opened in theaters on June 13, 2025, fifteen years after the original. It grossed $262 million domestically and currently ranks in the Top 10 highest-grossing films of 2025.” – Source Content
As Universal proceeds with the adaptation of The Hidden World, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon series aims to complete a robust trilogy that blends nostalgia, high production values, and compelling performances. This keeps the franchise alive and relevant, offering audiences expanded ways to experience the story of dragons and their riders.
