'How to Train Your Dragon 3' Release Date & Plot Rumors: Hiccup, Toothless Parting Ways?

Current “How to Train Your Dragon 3” rumors merely revolve around speculations. One major plot rumor is that the story's two main characters, Hiccup and Toothless, will be parting their ways.

Movie News Guide reports that this idea has disheartened many fans. After all, in the first two installments of the animated franchise, fans would have seen the budding friendship between the adventurous boy and the equally playful dragon.

In the first movie, viewers will remember how the two characters met and became friends. In the second, both of them achieved something they never did before.

In “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” Hiccup replaced his father Stoick the Vast as the chief of Berk. Toothless, for his part, became the new alpha dragon.

For the third installment, MNG reports that this situation will pit the two characters in a tough situation: to either choose to keep their friendship, or to focus on their newfound leadership.

It is said that Hiccup will grow to realize that he is actually able to do things without the help of his pet and friend. Here's what director Dean DeBlois said about that, according to Collider:

“[“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.”

He added that the movie will go to where it all actually began – to the story written by Cressida Cowell.

“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,” DeBlois said.

Regarding other characters in the story, DeBlois mentioned that originally, Hiccup's mom Valka was meant to be “Dragon 2's” sympathetic villain. She was replaced by villain Drago, who was meant to come out in “Dragon 3.”

Because of this, Drago is sure to make a comeback.

“You have to wait until the third film to actually see where Drago’s character goes,” DeBlois said.

With Hiccup known to show his heroic side when things become difficult, does this mean he and Toothless will join forces to fight evil one last time? Fans will have to find out when the movie releases in 2018.