How to Train Your Dragon 2 EP Weighs In: Will the Sequel Break From the Animated Story?
Don’t expect a dragon-sized overhaul: Executive producer Roy Lee says the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 will stick close to the animated sequel, with only a few fresh twists added.
Sounds like the live-action dragons aren’t straying far from the nest. Executive producer Roy Lee says the follow-up to the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon is sticking close to the animated sequel’s blueprint, with a few fresh wrinkles.
What the team is aiming for
Lee kept specifics locked up but made it clear the creative plan is to build on what already works rather than reinvent the wheel. Translation: expect the big story beats you know, plus some new touches.
"We wouldn’t mess with what’s working."
"It will have some new things."
"I wouldn’t want to spoil anything."
How this sequel fits
This next film is doing double duty: it continues the story from the 2025 live-action remake and serves as a new adaptation of the animated How to Train Your Dragon 2. Franchise mainstay Dean DeBlois is back to write and direct, keeping the series’ core voice intact. That’s the right call.
Cast check-in
- Cate Blanchett returns as Valka, Hiccup’s mother.
- Olafur Darri Olafsson is playing Drago.
- Phil Dunster is Eret.
A quick rewind to the first live-action
When the first live-action movie was in the works, DeBlois was upfront about staying close to the animated original, even recreating several fan-favorite moments. It wasn’t a carbon copy, though. The most debated tweak was casting Nico Parker as Astrid; DeBlois backed the choice on performance grounds and reminded everyone this world is fantasy, not documentary. There were smaller adjustments too, like giving Astrid a bit more action and weaving in expanded nods to Valka.
Bottom line: the sequel is aiming for familiar bones with some new muscle. Not a bad way to keep the dragons flying.