When DreamWorks dropped the sequel to their Viking-and-dragon epic in 2014, the stakes weren't just high; they were sky-high. We already loved Hiccup and Toothless. But the cast of How to Train Your Dragon 2 had to carry a much heavier, darker, and more emotionally complex story than the first film ever dared to touch. It wasn't just about "getting the band back together." It was about evolving these characters into adults who deal with real loss, messy reunions, and the weight of leadership.
Honestly, sequels usually feel like a cash grab. This one felt like a graduation. The voice acting wasn't just "celebrity cameos" for the sake of a poster. It was a masterclass in how to use established stars to ground a fantasy world. You've got Jay Baruchel returning as a more confident, albeit still rambling, Hiccup. But then you throw in Cate Blanchett. Suddenly, the movie isn't just a kids' flick; it’s a sprawling family drama.
The Core Returning Cast of How to Train Your Dragon 2
Jay Baruchel is Hiccup. Period. It's hard to imagine anyone else capturing that specific blend of nasal vulnerability and genuine bravery. In the second film, Baruchel had to age Hiccup up five years. He didn't just drop his pitch; he changed the cadence. He sounds like a guy who's spent half a decade mapping the world on the back of a Night Fury. It’s authentic.
Then there’s America Ferrera as Astrid. She’s the anchor. In an industry where female leads in animation often get relegated to "the love interest," Ferrera keeps Astrid as the tactical superior. She’s the one keeping the hot-headed dragon riders in check. Their chemistry—even through a microphone in a recording booth—feels lived-in.
Gerard Butler’s Stoick the Vast is... well, he’s a lot. Butler brings that booming, Scottish authority that makes you understand why a whole village would follow him into a hurricane. But the nuance he displays in this sequel, particularly when he encounters his long-lost wife, is where the real acting happens. It’s a performance that makes the film’s eventual tragedy hit like a physical punch to the gut.
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The rest of the Dragon Riders—Jonah Hill (Snotlout), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Fishlegs), T.J. Miller (Tuffnut), and Kristen Wiig (Ruffnut)—provide the necessary levity. They are the chaos element. Without them, the movie might actually get too dark. They represent the "old" Berk, the fun Berk, even as the world around them is expanding and getting dangerous.
Cate Blanchett and the Valka Reveal
The biggest addition to the cast of How to Train Your Dragon 2 was undoubtedly Cate Blanchett. Director Dean DeBlois actually wrote the part of Valka with her in mind before she even signed on. Bold move. But it paid off. Blanchett plays Hiccup’s mother, a woman who has lived among dragons for twenty years, and she sounds... feral. Not crazy, just disconnected from human society.
She brings this ethereal, almost haunting quality to the screen. When she and Stoick reunite, it’s not a standard Hollywood hug. It’s awkward. It’s hesitant. Blanchett conveys two decades of guilt and wonder in just a few lines of dialogue. It’s the kind of performance that reminded everyone why she has two Oscars sitting on her shelf.
Why the Villain Worked (and Why He Didn't)
Djimon Hounsou joined the crew as Drago Bludvist. If you’ve seen the movie, you remember the voice. It’s deep, gravelly, and sounds like it’s coming from the bottom of a well. Hounsou is incredible at projecting raw power. Drago isn't a "misunderstood" villain. He’s a guy who wants to watch the world burn, and Hounsou plays him with a terrifying lack of empathy.
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Interestingly, Kit Harington also joined the ensemble as Eret, Son of Eret. Coming off the massive success of Game of Thrones, Harington brought a bit of that "rugged warrior" energy, but with a comedic twist. He’s the audience’s surrogate—the guy who thinks dragons are monsters until he actually meets one. His character arc is a bit predictable, sure, but Harington’s charm makes it work.
Behind the Mic: The Evolution of Berk
What people often forget is how much the recording process changed for this film. Usually, actors record their lines alone. For the cast of How to Train Your Dragon 2, DeBlois encouraged more interaction. While they didn't record the whole movie together, key scenes between Baruchel and Ferrera, or Butler and Blanchett, benefited from that real-time spark.
The animation team at DreamWorks also used new software (called Premo and Apollo) which allowed them to tweak facial expressions in real-time. This meant they could match the subtle inflections in the actors' voices better than ever before. When you see Stoick’s beard twitch or Valka’s eyes well up, that’s the technology catching up to the talent of the cast.
Craig Ferguson returns as Gobber the Belch, and honestly, he’s the secret MVP. Ferguson’s improvisational background means half the best lines probably weren't even in the script. He provides the emotional glue between Stoick and Hiccup, acting as the bridge between two very different generations of Vikings.
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Looking Back: The Legacy of This Ensemble
Ten years later, this specific lineup remains one of the strongest in animation history. Why? Because it didn't feel like a bunch of celebrities doing "funny voices." It felt like a family. The chemistry between the cast of How to Train Your Dragon 2 is what makes the ending—where Hiccup finally accepts his role as Chief—so resonant. You feel the history.
The film was a massive success, pulling in over $620 million at the global box office and winning the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film. Critics often point to the "maturity" of the story. That maturity starts with the actors. They treated the material like a prestige drama, and it shows in every frame.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Creators
If you are looking to dive deeper into the world of Berk or are a creator looking to learn from this film's success, here is how to proceed:
- Watch the "Down to the Bone" Featurette: Most Blu-ray and digital versions of the film include behind-the-scenes footage of the actors in the recording booth. Pay attention to how Cate Blanchett uses her physical posture to change her vocal tone. It’s a masterclass in voice acting.
- Analyze the Script Hierarchy: Notice how the film balances ten major characters without losing the central thread of Hiccup’s journey. For writers, studying how the "B-plot" characters (the other riders) are used for pacing is invaluable.
- Check Out the Live-Action Casting: With the live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie currently in development for a 2025/2026 release, compare the original voice cast's choices with the new actors (like Mason Thames and Nico Parker). It’s a fascinating look at how character essence translates across mediums.
- Listen to the Score in Isolation: John Powell’s music is essentially another cast member. Listen to the track "For the Dancing and the Dreaming." It’s the perfect example of how a simple folk song can carry the emotional weight of a 20-year separation.
The transition from the first film to the second wasn't just about bigger dragons or better fire effects. It was about the people behind the voices growing up alongside their characters. That’s why we’re still talking about it.