Top 10 Actresses To Play Valka, Hiccup's Mom

DreamWorks’ live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon 2 is sure to introduce Hiccup’s mom, Valka, based on the animated movie. So far, casting decisions have not been made for the character, but her addition is already looming, as evidenced by How To Train Your Dragon’s increased references to her.

The sequel will bring back core cast members in Mason Thames’ Hiccup, Nico Parker’s Astrid, and Gerard Butler’s Stoick, along with many of the other natives to Berk. As the franchise has shown before, it is willing to bring back animated voice actors when possible, but that is a rarity, as every character has been recast except for Stoick.

That puts How To Train Your Dragon 2‘s Valka casting decision in an intriguing position. Will the movie bring back the voice actor responsible for playing her in two animated movies, or will the live-action films look to put a new spin on the role? With development gearing up ahead of a 2027 release, finding the right actress to play Valka is vital to the sequel’s success.

Hiccup’s mom plays a huge role in the sequel, as a strong, loving, and conflicted dragon rider, mother, and wife. The movie needs someone who can adequately pull off all those aspects, all while looking and sounding like the animated counterpart. Luckily, there are some great candidates for the production to consider.

Kelly Macdonald

Known for her roles in No Country For Old Men and Boardwalk Empire, Kelly Macdonald might not be as recognizable of a name as many others later on in this list. But, the Scottish actress would bring some authenticity to Valka, and with the more diverse perspective of Berk in the live-action films, adding in that level of representation would be great to see.

The actress has shown throughout her career that she can play all the aspects of Valka’s character, too. At 49 years old, Macdonald is also the right age to make the romance with Gerard Butler, 55, feel convincing and natural, and have a teenage son.

Lena Headey

Lena Headey is no stranger to playing a powerful and protective mother on the screen. Her time as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones gave her a breakout role working in fantasy in a dragon-based story, so rejoining that world in a different landscape with How To Train Your Dragon would be smooth.

It’s easy to imagine Headey adding some layers to Valka in her live-action debut, channeling the broken heart that has come from being separated from her husband and son for so long. She’d also be more than capable of handling any of the action requirements. But after not being a dragonrider on Game of Thrones, she could be one here.

Robin Wright

Laura smiles while looking at someone in The Girlfriend

One of the many characteristics that is important to Valka is her wisdom and ability to step into a leadership position, especially as the story expands beyond How To Train Your Dragon 2. That is what could make Robin Wright an excellent choice to tackle the character in live-action.

The multi-Emmy nominee has experience playing a sharp leader with House of Cards, and while Valka has a much softer side than Claire Underwood, Wright can do both with ease. She’s the oldest actress on the list at 59 years old, but she could still believably pass as Hiccup’s mother and Stoick’s wife.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman has done it all throughout her career. She’s a five-time Oscar nominee (winning once) and has been involved in huge box office hits like Aquaman. If How To Train Your Dragon 2 wants a global name to tackle Valka’s role, Kidman would be a strong option.

The actress is arguably at her best playing complex, troubled characters, but she’s also incredibly versatile. That could prove beneficial with Valka’s casting, as she evolves throughout the movie. Kidman can nail everything necessary to make Hiccup’s mom a compelling addition. The only worry could be the accent work if she can’t keep her natural one.

Charlize Theron

How To Train Your Dragon 2 could make some slight changes to Valka in live-action, such as increasing her role in the action. She’s a skilled fighter in the animated films but doesn’t get that much to do. If a bigger role is envisioned for her in this film and the next in that regard, casting Charlize Theron could be the way to go.

Theron is one of Hollywood’s premier action leads in general, not just for women. She has a long history of kicking butt and fully committing to what is required of her. She might add more of a darker, hardened edge to Valka, but that would also work with the start of her story before her walls start to break down.

Amy Adams

Despite how the last few years have gone for her critically, Amy Adams remains one of the best actresses on the planet. The six-time Oscar nominee is not afraid of big-budget IP after already doing the DC Extended Universe; she also has Star Wars: Starfighter on deck. But, that shouldn’t stop her from being free for How To Train Your Dragon 2.

Adams has the gentle, warm spirit that would work great with Valka to create a great contrast to Stoick’s more hardened demeanor. She’d also be able to capture the joy that Hiccup’s mom has about being around the dragons and protecting them. Adams could easily sell How To Train Your Dragon 2‘s most devastating scene and really amp up the film’s emotion overall.

Julia Roberts

An icon in Hollywood, Julia Roberts has never really ventured into the blockbuster realm that How To Train Your Dragon 2 exists in. But if the role of Valka is open to anyone, DreamWorks would be silly not to consider her and see if there is any interest.

Roberts is an incredibly charming performer who almost always makes her characters easy to like. That would be a smart way to cast Hiccup’s mom and allow that sweetness to really come through. Her dramatic work also leaves no concerns about how she’d handle the more emotional aspects of the role.

Kerry Condon

Kerry Condon is the youngest suggestion on this list, but the 42-year-old actress is in the midst of really breaking out. After her Best Supporting Actress nomination for Banshees of Inisherin, she continued to impress with Star Wars: Skeleton Crew last year and with F1: The Movie this summer.

It could make some sense for DreamWorks to look slightly younger for Valka for the franchise’s long-term goals. If so, Condon has the strength and charm to show more sides of Hiccup’s mom. There’s even room for the Irish actress to use her natural accent and fit in easily with the series, rather than have another actress attempt a less convincing Scottish accent.

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who is just as believable in action as she is in drama. She’s got everything DreamWorks and Universal could want when it comes to casting Valka: the box office history, name recognition, acting chops, and even the natural red hair.

In most cases, Chastain would be an ideal candidate for Valka and conceivably be worthy of the top spot on such a list. There’s no reason to think she couldn’t crush this role. The only reason she’s not number one is that the best choice has already played the role.

Cate Blanchett

When it comes to casting Valka, the studios and director Dean DeBlois must call Cate Blanchett first. The popular actress was the voice of Valka in the animated movies, and much like how Gerard Butler reprised his role as Stoick, there’s a large contingent of viewers (myself included) who want her to keep the role.

That’s not because nobody else could play a convincing Valka; the previous entries on the list show there are other great options. But Blanchett’s vocal performance was pitch-perfect in the previous films. With Valka now coming to live-action in How To Train Your Dragon 2, it is only fair that she gets to carry on.

The good news is that this could be where things are heading. DeBlois suggested he intends to have Blanchett play Valka in the live-action sequels. But, the director also acknowledged that this is just a wish right now and that nothing is finalized, saying:

“Well, I’m wishful as well. It’s still early days. I think she is probably waiting for a script, but I’ve been knocking on that door. I wrote the character of Valka for her, so I told her it’ll always be hers to turn down first.”

The ball is firmly in Blanchett’s court at this point. If she declines a return, there are other actresses who could step in and make Valka their own. With filming likely to begin sometime next year, it may not be that long before we know who is playing Hiccup’s mom in How To Train Your Dragon 2.