Cate Blanchett is riding the dragons once again, this time in the flesh.
The two-time Oscar winner has inked a deal to reprise her role as Viking warrior Valka in Universal Pictures’ live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Dean DeBlois, who co-created the screen franchise and wrote and directed last year’s first live-action outing, is back as writer, director and executive producer of the feature.
The first live-action movie was released in June 2025 and earned $636 million worldwide. The franchise is based on the best-selling books series by Cressida Cowell.
Blanchett joins Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn in the sequel.
Adapting the second installment, which was released in 2014, the movie continues the adventures of Hiccup (Thames), the dragon-befriending Viking who opened up his village to the possibilities of coexisting with the flying, fire-breathing creatures.
Valka is the long-lost mother of Hiccup, and wife of Viking leader Stoick the Vast. Butler voiced the character in the animated movies and is reprising the part in the live-action iterations.
Blanchett also voiced Valka in the animated movies and is now the second actor to make the transition to live-action.
Marc Platt (Wicked) is producing via his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions alongside Adam Siegel, president of Marc Platt Productions. Universal has set a June 11, 2027 release date for the feature.
Senior vp of production Lexi Barta is overseeing the film on behalf of the studio.
Blanchett last year starred in Steven Soderbergh’s critically acclaimed romantic espionage thriller Black Bag, whose cast also included Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela and Naomie Harris. She was part of the ensemble of Father Mother Sister Brother, Jim Jarmusch’s drama that premiered at the Venice Film Festival and where it won the Golden Lion.
The actress is repped by CAA.
