From the Football Field to Viking Adventures

20 May 2026

Photo: Michael Emilio / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

The upcoming animated film ViQueens has added an exciting voice on the team. Erling Braut Haaland enters the animation universe ViQueens. The Manchester City star lends his voice to the character “Haaland” – and thus plays himself in the magnificent Viking story with roots in Lofoten.

The character will be part of the king’s crew. And will be dubbed by Haaland in both the Norwegian and English versions of the film.

Erling has become a modern Viking icon internationally – fearless, powerful and unmistakably Norwegian. So when we were making a film from this time, we couldn’t have gotten a better charecter. We let him play himself, the legendary Viking known as “Haaland”, which gives the film a very special energy and authenticity

Harald Zwart to VG.

ViQueens, directed by Harald Zwart, follows two young Viking girls, Ingrid and Hedvig, on a journey from Northern Norway and out into the world. The story takes the audience from the mountains of northern Norway via the Silk Road and all the way to China. In a story about courage, friendship and new beginnings.

Starting point in Lofoten

The film has a clear starting point in Lofoten, and especially at the Lofotr Viking Museum, which serves as a source of inspiration for the film’s location. Museum Nord is a proud partner of the project. And has contributed with historical advice and knowledge about Viking Age society, culture and everyday life throughout the development.

However, it is not only the Lofotr Viking Museum that has been a source of inspiration. The Norwegian Fishing Village Museum and SKREI have also left their mark on the story. The cod has played an important role in Lofoten’s history, and becomes a central part of the film. Already in the Viking Age, it was an important resource

Harald and Veslemøy Zwart visiting Lofotr Viking Museum in March 2024.

International film project

ViQueens is an international film project with ambitions to reach audiences worldwide. The film combines humour, fairy tales and historical references in a universe inspired by the landscape, history and cultural heritage of Lofoten.

The launch of Erling Braut Haaland as one of the voices marks another step for the project on the road to its cinema premiere on Christmas Day 2026.

VG first reported the case here.

FACTS

Title: ViQueens (animated film).
Screenplay: Harald Zwart.
Co-writers: Veslemøy Zwart and Stella Zwart.
Producer: Veslemøy Zwart.
Premiere: 26.12.26.
Genres: Family, adventure, comedy.
English voices: Ella Purnell – Ingrid, Rita Ora – Hedvig, Alan Carr – Barden.
Production: Norwegian animated film produced by Gimpville (known for Troll 1 and 2).
Music: Christophe Beck (known for Frozen 1 and 2).
Language: Original versions in both English and Norwegian.