Dreamworks announced on Tuesday that the third part of the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise will be released on June 9, 2017, a year later than the originally expected date of June 2016.
In an official announcement, the company said, "On the heels of the success of their latest epic adventure, Hiccup and Toothless have plans to soar across the big screen once again with the announcement of the third chapter in DreamWorks Animation's How to Train Your Dragon series shifting to a June 9, 2017 release date."
As in the first two installments, the third movie will be written and directed by Dean DeBois, and will be produced by Bonnie Arnold. Jay Baruchel will return as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the son of Viking chief Stoick, and friend to Toothless, a Night Fury dragon. America Ferrera will come back as Astrid Hofferson, Hiccup's girlfriend and rider of Stormfly, a Deadly Nadder dragon; and Cate Blanchett will resume her role as Valka, Hiccup's mother and rider of Cloudjumper, a Stormcutter dragon.
According to the press release, How to Train Your Dragon 3 will continue from where it left off in the last movie – that is, after a series of trials and adventures, Hiccup becomes the chieftain of the Viking village of Berk.
The movies – expected to be a trilogy – is loosely based on the books by Cressida Cowell. In an interview back in 2012, Cowell revealed that while the movie adaptations have a different take on the story, the ending will be shared by the print and cinematic versions.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 has reached the status of highest grossing animated film for 2014, having earned over $600 million.
