The first live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie set the stage for a bold new era of Viking and dragon adventures on the big screen, and now its sequel is officially underway. How to Train Your Dragon 2, the live-action adaptation of the beloved 2014 animated sequel, has started principal photography and is on track for its June 11, 2027 theatrical release date.
The original live-action remake, released in 2025, brought Berk to life with Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nic Parker as Astrid, Gerard Butler as Stoick, and Nick Frost as Gobber. Anticipation for the franchise was so strong that How to Train Your Dragon 2 was confirmed even before the first film hit theaters. That gamble paid off: the first movie soared to $636.6 million worldwide and earned a “Verified Hot” 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. While critics were a bit more reserved with a 77% Tomatometer score, they still awarded it a Certified Fresh rating, solidifying the film as both a commercial and critical success.
In ScreenRant’s review, Sarah Moran praised the live-action remake as “a fantastic movie, not just emulating the animated original, but elevating it, all while also delivering an exciting summer blockbuster poised to thrill.” With that kind of reception, expectations for the sequel are sky-high.
Now, writer-director Dean DeBlois is officially “back in the saddle.” He has shared a behind-the-scenes image from day one of principal photography on How to Train Your Dragon 2, showing him smiling on set as filming begins. Alongside the photo comes the reveal of a new version of the film’s logo, now seen for the first time in red, underscoring the darker and more intense direction of this chapter in Hiccup’s story. DeBlois’ caption, “Back in the saddle! Day 1 of principal photography on HTTYD2! The adventure begins……..” signals the start of what promises to be an emotional and epic continuation of the live-action saga.
The returning cast is one of the major reasons fans are excited to revisit Berk. Mason Thames, Nic Parker, Gerard Butler, and Nick Frost are all back as Hiccup, Astrid, Stoick, and Gobber, ensuring continuity in the core relationships that made the first movie resonate. They will be joined once again by Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Bronwyn James as Ruffnut, Gabriel Howell as Snotlout, and Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut, rounding out the beloved gang of dragon riders.
One of the biggest casting questions surrounding the sequel involved Hiccup’s long-lost mother, Valka. After much speculation, it has been confirmed that Cate Blanchett will portray Valka in live action, reprising her role from the animated How to Train Your Dragon 2. Blanchett’s return deepens the connection between the animated trilogy and the live-action adaptations and adds serious dramatic weight to the upcoming film, especially considering Valka’s emotional arc and her bond with both dragons and Hiccup.
The sequel will also introduce a formidable new antagonist: Drago. The villain will be played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, who previously voiced Ragnar the Rock in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Bringing him into the live-action universe as Drago sets the stage for a terrifying and charismatic foe whose presence will dramatically raise the stakes for Hiccup, Toothless, and the people of Berk. Drago’s storyline in the animated film was already intense, and a live-action portrayal has the potential to make his impact even more visceral.
Another major addition to the story is Eret, a dragon trapper who becomes a significant player in the conflict. Although the character has been confirmed as part of the sequel’s narrative, his live-action casting has not yet been announced. Given Eret’s importance to the emotional and thematic evolution of the story—especially his changing perspective on dragons—speculation is running wild about which actor will take on the role. That mystery is one more reason fans are keeping a close eye on every update from the production.
Story-wise, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is set to follow the core beats of the 2014 animated film while leveraging the strengths of live-action filmmaking to deepen the world-building and emotional impact. The sequel will jump ahead in time, exploring Hiccup’s growth as a young leader and his evolving bond with Toothless as they uncover new lands, new dragons, and new threats. Crucially, the film must also navigate one of the franchise’s most devastating moments, a turning point that reshaped Hiccup’s life and the future of Berk in the animated version. Translating that scene into live action will be a major test of the film’s emotional power and could be the defining moment that either elevates or undermines the sequel.
With production officially underway, the movie appears to be on schedule to meet its June 11, 2027 release date. The first live-action installment proved that revisiting this world in a new format could pay off creatively and commercially. Now How to Train Your Dragon 2 has the opportunity to build on that success, push the visual spectacle even further, and deliver deeper character development as Hiccup takes on greater responsibilities, faces new enemies, and continues to redefine the relationship between humans and dragons.
The combination of returning cast members, high-profile additions like Cate Blanchett and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, and DeBlois’ continued leadership behind the camera positions the sequel as one of the most anticipated fantasy adventures on the horizon. Fans of the original animated trilogy and newcomers drawn in by the live-action remake alike will be watching closely as more details emerge—from the casting of Eret to the first official trailers and posters.
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