How to Train Your Dragon 2: Start of Filming and Casting Update for the Live-Action Adaptation
An actor for Eret has been cast
The production of "How to Train Your Dragon 2" continues to progress. Filming of the second live-action adaptation has now officially begun! This was announced by director Dean DeBlois and Universal Pictures via social media. But that's not all: there is also news regarding the cast!
According to media reports, "Ted Lasso" star Phil Dunster has been signed up for the sequel. He is to take on the role of the dragon trapper Eret. Eret works for the villain Drago Bludvist, to whom he sells his captured dragons.
An actor has also already been found for Drago. According to the industry portal Deadline, the antagonist will be played by Icelander Ólafur Darri Ólafsson. The power-hungry warrior is known for enslaving dragons and using them for his own purposes.
The biggest casting news, however, was a different one. A few days ago, it was announced that Hollywood star Cate Blanchett will be appearing in "How to Train Your Dragon 2". She will take on the role of Hiccup's mother Valka, who was thought to be dead. The dragon rider realized long before the events of part 1 that dragons are not evil creatures. Blanchett thus embodies the character she already voiced in the animated film.
Of course, the main actors Mason Thames (Hiccup), Nico Parker (Astrid) and Gerard Butler (Stoick the Vast) will also return for the second movie. Director DeBlois is once again responsible for the screenplay. DeBlois was already the mastermind behind the animated films and the first live-action adaptation. The release date for the sequel has already been set for some time: "How to Train Your Dragon 2" will be released in cinemas on June 11, 2027. You can find out all the other details and the first mysterious hints from DeBlois in our movie preview.
The phenomenon of How to Train Your Dragon
The ongoing hype surrounding the franchise is no coincidence. "How to Train Your Dragon" has long been more than just a popular book or animation series – it's a pop-cultural phenomenon that has shaped many viewers.
Why How to Train Your Dragon is so popular
The film series began loosely adapting the books by Cressida Cowell in 2010. At first glance, the film tells a classic adventure story: an outsider finds his place in the world, overcomes prejudices and surpasses himself. But "How to Train Your Dragon" goes deeper than that. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is emblematic of themes such as empathy, understanding and the courage to question existing traditions. Here, dragons are not just monsters, but misunderstood beings – a perspective that was particularly appealing to a young audience, but also reached adults.
The films also do not shy away from loss, responsibility and difficult parent-child relationships. By the second installment at the latest, it was clear that the series was ready to take its audience seriously and age with them. The third film marked the end of the series in 2019.
What makes the films special
The "How to Train Your Dragon" films are visually impressive. The flying sequences are still some of the most impressive that DreamWorks has produced. The whole thing is supported by the iconic soundtrack by John Powell, whose music contributes significantly to the emotional impact of the films and is extremely popular.
Another success factor is the clear creative signature of Dean DeBlois. As writer and director, he guided the story from beginning to end and ensured a remarkable narrative coherence – something that has become extremely rare in franchise cinema. It is precisely this continuity that is also sought in the live-action adaptations.
The live-action adaptation of 2025
With the live-action film adaptation of "How to Train Your Dragon" in 2025, Universal dared to strike a balance between nostalgia and reinterpretation. Unlike many other live-action adaptations, the film was not perceived by most fans as a mere remake, but as a respectful new edition. The decision to bring Dean DeBlois back on board proved to be a key success factor. The film preserved the core of the story, but used modern technology to portray the dragons and the world of Berk more realistically than ever.
Culturally, "How to Train Your Dragon" now stands for a modern story about tolerance, solidarity and growing up. The series shows that great blockbuster cinema can have emotional depth without losing its accessibility. The fact that the franchise is now being continued with a second live-action adaptation underlines its status within pop culture – and proves that the story of Hiccup and Toothless has lost none of its fascination almost two decades after its first flight.
