Since the live-action How to Train Your Dragon hit theaters and a remake of How to Train Your Dragon 2 was confirmed, the biggest question has been whether Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett will return to the franchise. However, a wild turn of events for one of Netflix’s biggest properties has complicated the matter.
DreamWorks’ first live-action remake has seen strong success both critically and financially, delivering a new sprawling adventure that heightens the visuals and expands upon the story of the original. While some people may still be questioning if a How to Train Your Dragon remake was necessary, it makes sense for the studio to want to produce a sequel.
One of the most-praised elements of the new movie is Gerard Butler’s performance, who previously voiced protagonist Hiccup’s father Stoick in the original animated movies, and reprised his role in live-action. Now we are all wondering if her schedule will allow for Cate Blanchett to do the same thing.
Dean DeBlois Has Discussed Cate Blanchett’s Potential Reprisal As Valka
Blanchett Only Has To Say The Word
In 2014’s How to Train Your Dragon 2, it is revealed that Hiccup’s mother Valka was not killed by dragons as he and his father believed, and has been secretly rescuing and living among dragons for years. Blanchett voices Valka in this movie, as well as its sequel, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
With a live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 in the works, it is natural for people to ask if Blachett will follow in Butler’s footsteps. Longtime How to Train Your Dragon director Dean DeBlois has responded to questions about Blanchett’s return, essentially confirming that the role is hers if she wants it, but he still needs to send her a script and discuss other details with her team.
Past this point, this article contains spoilers for Netflix’s Squid Game.Butler himself also hopes Blanchett will return to How to Train Your Dragon, and the movie would only benefit a star of her caliber, as the animated installments did. However, Blanchett is a busy woman who has revealed that her retirement may be on the horizon — and she is seemingly now involved with another huge project.
Cate Blanchett’s Squid Game Cameo Just Complicated Her HTTYD 2 Return
Did Blanchett Just Commit Herself To A Different Major Franchise?
The biggest news as of late revolves around Blanchett’s surprise Squid Game cameo, as the recruiter for the American branch of the games. Following Squid Game‘s conclusion, audiences are awaiting the David Fincher-led English-language Squid Game spinoff, with plot details being kept under wraps at this point.
Blanchett’s cameo indicates that she may be playing a major role in this series. If this is the case, it could take up a lot of time in her schedule in the next few years, limiting her availability for How to Train Your Dragon. Per IMDb, Blanchett’s upcoming projects also include Father, Mother, Sister, Brother (which is completed), and Alpha Gang (in production).
Could Cate Blanchett Find The Time To Do HTTYD 2?
Squid Game Might Not Be That Big Of A Role
However, it is not unreasonable for Blanchett to be planning on doing two or three projects in the next few years, perhaps retiring after. How to Train Your Dragon 2 will potentially begin filming later this year, which does clash with the rumors that production on Squid Game: America will begin in December 2025 (via Decider).
However, if Blanchett is playing the recurring role of a Recruiter in that series, she may only star in a few episodes. As impactful as he is, Gong Yoo’s Recruiter in Squid Game only appears in four episodes and isn’t involved with the events of the games themselves.
Of course, Blanchett’s appearance in Squid Game may have been a one-off cameo for a memorable ending, if the games do, plausibly, have multiple Recruiters. Although Blanchett has not spoken about it yet, she may be entirely ready to go back to How to Train Your Dragon 2 after making her mark on Squid Game with mere moments of screen time.
Source: IMDb, Decider
