With the resounding success of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, a sequel is in the works, and Gerard Butler has commented on whether another iconic actor will be playing their animated character in live-action as well. 2025’s How to Train Your Dragon is said to be a great first remake for DreamWorks, following the plot of the hit 2010 animated movie and starring Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid. Gerard Butler voiced Hiccup’s father Stoick in the animated trilogy and reprises his role for the remake, garnering praise for his performance all over again.
With the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 in development, people are wondering if Cate Blanchett will again play Valka, Hiccup’s mother, who is revealed to be alive in the sequel. During an interview with Discussing Film, Gerard Butler said, “Cate, come on let’s go,” believing she is the only one for the role. Butler continued to say: “I know she saw the movie and really loved this movie. I don’t know what the deal is, that’s not my area. But it feels like she’s Valka. […] I feel like it kind of has to be Cate.“
What This Butler’s Comments Mean For Valka In How To Train Your Dragon 2
Cate Blanchett Coming Back Is A Real Possibility
Longtime How to Train Your Dragon director Dean DeBlois responded to queries about Cate Blanchett returning, summarizing that “she is probably waiting for a script” and that the role will “always be hers to turn down first.” The cast and crew of How to Train Your Dragon are, overall, eager to have Blanchett back. It’s hard to imagine that the new young cast also wouldn’t be excited about working with an actor of Blachett’s caliber, who has a history with the franchise.
Blanchett’s reprising the role of Valka sounds very possible. She has done some action blockbusters with mildly goofy tones before, such as Borderlands and Thor: Ragnarok (which saw different outcomes in terms of success). She apparently likes where the live-action franchise is headed and is open to having a look at the script. Only time will tell, but the Lord of the Rings star could be elevating How to Train Your Dragon with her certified talents again.
Our Take On Cate Blanchette Joining Live-Action How To Train Your Dragon, & Gerard Butler Encouraging Her
Butler May ᴀssuage Some Of Blanchett’s Reservations
Blanchett has discussed retiring soon, but she probably would not sign on to How to Train Your Dragon again if she weren’t ready to commit to another sequel, as this seems to be the ultimate goal of DeBlois and the studio. Gerard Butler is also certainly someone who can tell her what this project would be like, and he seems to have enjoyed the experience of the remake. Butler was a huge hit in the new How to Train Your Dragon, and Cate Blanchett is such an exceptional star that her performance would probably be just as adored.
Source: Discussing Film