Live-Action How To Train Your Dragon 2: The Shocking Villainous Twist of Valka Revealed

Following the first live-action adaptation closely mirroring the original film, a plausible idea for How To Train Your Dragon 2 might involve steering the series towards a new path. While audience reactions to live-action remakes have been mixed, both HTTYD and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch have triumphed at the box office in 2025, resulting in sequels for both productions.

Fifteen years since its debut, How To Train Your Dragon continues to captivate audiences, having earned over $450 million at the box office. The studio showed faith in the franchise by announcing a remake of the 2014 sequel, even before the first film was released. Despite the acclaim for the 2025 remake from both viewers and critics, a recurring criticism is that it lacks originality compared to its predecessor.

The sequel, “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” retains the same narrative, dialogue, music, and famous sequences as its predecessor that made it so unforgettable. However, unlike a mere duplicate, it has the chance to introduce alterations to avoid being just another carbon copy. An intriguing hypothesis, though potentially contentious, could be worth examining further.

Valka Could Be How To Train Your Dragon 2’s Villain – Theory Explained

Hiccup’s Mother Was Originally An Antagonist

It was surprising to find out in How to Train Your Dragon 2 that Valka was still alive, and it turned out she was a strong supporter of dragons. The reason she didn’t return to her son was because of this commitment. Interestingly, the sequel almost went a different route with Valka’s character, as initially she was intended to be the villain. This change in direction was discussed by director Dean Deblois in an interview with Collider in 2014.

The director revealed that Valka resides in a sanctuary guarded by dragons, keeping them safe from hunters and trappers. Yet, there’s a philosophical disagreement between her and Hiccup; she advocates for dragons and humans living separately, which causes tension. During the climactic part of the story, Valka attempts to seize the dragons from Berk before Drago arrives, resulting in a confrontation with her own son.

Initially, Valka was intended to serve as a complex, compassionate adversary with relatable reasons for her actions. However, Deblois altered Valka’s storyline, reasoning that it could be “too intense and potentially difficult for children,” considering the parents who accompanied them to the movie. Here’s the original quote:

“Originally, Valka was intended to be a unique, sympathetic antagonist with understandable motivations. However, Deblois changed Valka’s narrative because he thought it might be ‘a little heavy and a little challenging for the kids,’ including the parents who brought them to the film.

One significant adjustment made in the story, albeit implemented later than ideal, as I feel we could have seamlessly incorporated it if foreseen, was transforming Valka into the empathetic adversary of the movie. Initially, her character was intended to serve this role. Hiccup discovers Valka living wildly, akin to Jane Goodall or Diane Fossey. Not only is she his mother, but she embodies on one side everything Hiccup aspires to be: a life of unbridled freedom and purpose, with an emphasis on dragon conservation, learning their secrets, and becoming almost dragon-like herself. This lifestyle, filled with adventure and understanding dragons, would captivate Hiccup, yet they would fundamentally clash due to Valka’s deep-seated distrust of humans, stemming from her years of defending dragons against Drago’s forces, trappers, etc., leading her to believe that the only way to truly protect them was through isolation and segregation.

Cate Blanchett Playing A Live-Action Villainous Valka Would Be So Cool

The Two-Time Oscar Winner Always Plays Villains Well

Blanchett is recognized as one of the top actors in Hollywood, boasting a impressive two Academy Awards throughout her career. She showcases versatility in any role she takes on, yet truly shines when portraying villainous characters. Her performances as menacing and despicable figures bring delight to both herself and viewers who can’t help but love to despise them. Some of her memorable villainous roles include Hela from Thor: Ragnarok and Lady Tremaine in the 2015 version of Cinderella.

The prospect of Blanchett rejoining the HTTYD series is already intriguing, but what makes it even more enticing is the possibility of her delving into a fresh aspect of her character in live-action. Incorporating her exceptional talent into the remake of the sequel would significantly enhance its quality. A surprising portrayal of a villainous character could offer Blanchett additional chances to demonstrate her acting range and versatility.

Valka Makes Some Questionable Decisions – But She Could Still Be Redeemed By The End Of HTTYD 2

Valka’s Actions Have Good Motives Behind Them

In this alternate storyline, as Deblois describes, Valka’s fundamental character traits remain consistent. She continues to hold a deep affection for dragons and chooses to leave home to safeguard them from humans. The source of her disagreement with Hiccup arises from their shared love for these creatures. Despite coming from the same place, they have contrasting viewpoints. Hiccup has discovered that coexistence can be achieved, whereas Valka is only aware of humanity’s darker side.

In a bid to safeguard the dragons, she’s resorting to an attack on Berk – it’s not about annihilating Berk, but rather warding off Drago’s army. Although her methods might be questionable, there’s potential for growth and alignment with Hiccup’s mission against Drago. Her ultimate goal is dragon protection, and if she perceives a change in humanity through her son’s eyes, she could well embrace this perspective.

This How To Train Your Dragon Theory Is Cool, But Unlikely

HTTYD 2 May Follow The Example Of The Original

Although some viewers found the live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon” to be a direct replica, this similarity was one of the keys to its success. It revived the enchantment of the initial film for those who grew up with it, and also introduced the series to a fresh audience. The narrative, characters, and motifs remained consistent, and many viewers appreciated that most of the key story elements stayed unchanged.

The movie was also led by Deblois, who oversaw the animated trilogy. Given that he thought Valka’s villainous depiction might be too intense for younger viewers, he probably wouldn’t reprise this role in the sequel. Yet, such a shift could prove advantageous for two primary reasons.

Firstly, it ensures the sequel doesn’t mirror the original too closely without significantly altering the storyline. Secondly, it presents Hiccup with an intriguing moral predicament.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but ponder about the potential impact of Valka’s transformation in “How To Train Your Dragon 2.” While such a change could bring excitement and freshness, it might also stir controversy, as DreamWorks aims to preserve the integrity of its beloved franchise, much like what happened with “Lilo & Stitch.” Dean DeBlois might be keen to steer clear of any unnecessary discord. Yet, considering how minimal adjustments were made in the first film, a daring change like this could indeed breathe new life into the sequel.

2025-07-06 00:11