'How to Train Your Dragon 3' Release Date: Plot Features Valka as Villain? -- What We Know So Far [Rumors]

There's still three years to go before the third installment for one of DreamWorks Animation's best franchises, "How to Train Your Dragon 3," hits the big screen. However, as early as now, there's been much speculation about the plot and characters for the sequel.

The first and second installments of "How to Train Your Dragon" were a pleasant surprise for DreamWorks Animation because they did not expect it to be big. The series stood out from other animated films as it mixes not only humor but compassion and character to the story. Now, director Dean DeBlois, in an interview with Collider, opens up about what to expect in "How to Train Your Dragon 3" and some changes in its character, including the story's main villain.

DeBlois revealed to Collider that "Dragon 3" will conclude Hiccup's coming-of-age story, saying, "[Dragon 3 is] the culmination of Hiccup’s coming of age. Both he and Toothless are now chiefs of their respective tribes, and it’s a dueling story where you have both characters trying to do what’s right for their kind, and an eventual outcome where Hiccup is able to stand on his own.”

Also, he said that "Dragon 3" will make a full turn and start where Cressida Cowell's original novel series began. It can be remembered that in the books, the story began with an older Hiccup recalling a time where dragons and humans lived together.

"We’re gonna take the story to where the books begin, which is Hiccup as an adult reflecting back on a time where there were dragons, suggesting that the dragons will in some way go away. Why and could they come back and the mystery of what all that is will be saved for the actual story," teased DeBlois.

As for the film's big baddie, DeBlois revealed that we will see Drago return for "Dragon 3," but he will be "a lot more complex" than what was shown of him in the series' second installment. Last year, DeBlois divulged that Valka was originally the primary villain for the series, but the creators opted for Drago instead.

Now, Christian Post notes that because of the rumors that Drago's character "may change for the better," fans are speculating that Valka, who is supposed to be the villain from the start, will take his place.

Interesting as the plot twist may be, there is still no confirmation if Valka will be the villain and how Hiccup's mother will transition to being the big baddie. As for now, this rumor must be taken with a grain of salt until more details are released before "How to Train Your Dragon 3" arrives in cinemas on June 29, 2018.