Ketchup to Splash Norwegian Flavors in the U.S. with Animated Pic 'ViQueens' - Animation Magazine

Indie distributor Ketchup Entertainment is on a roll. After saving Warner Bros.’ Coyote vs Acme from the vaults and earning an estimated $37 million in its second weekend at the box office, it has picked up the U.S. rights to the major Norwegian CG-animated pic ViQueens.

Directed by Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid, The 12th Man, Agent Cody Banks), and produced by Veslemøy Ruud Zwart of Zwart Arbeid, the movie centers on the adventures of two brave Viking girls who help return a stowaway boy to China. Along the way, they uncover important secrets, become proficient with dragon kites, fireworks and Kung Fu, and discover the power of their friendship and Viking grit along the Silk Road.

The film’s voice cast includes Ella Purnell (Ingrid), Rita Ora (Hedvig), Alan Carr (the Bard), Steve Speirs (King Erik), Anton Lesser (Lars) and Erling Haaland. The score is by Christophe Beck (Frozen, Frozen II).

Directed by Harald Zwart, ‘ViQueens will be coming to U.S. screens via Ketchup Entertainment.

“ViQueens has been a true labor of love, and I’m incredibly excited that audiences in the U.S. are going to get their first taste of the film in theaters this weekend,” Zwart told Deadline. “From the beginning, Veslemøy and I wanted to create a Viking story that felt fresh and unexpected – one filled with adventure, humor and heart, but also with a spirit of curiosity and cultural connection. Ketchup immediately understood what we wanted the film to be, and we are thrilled to have them as our U.S. partner.”

“Norway captivated the world with its energy and spirit during the World Cup, and ViQueens brings that same infectious energy to the big screen,” said Gareth West, CEO of Ketchup Entertainment. “This is exactly the kind of film we love to champion – an ambitious, original animated story with a strong cinematic identity and an outstanding cast.”

The film features an original score by Emmy and Annie Award-winning composer Christophe Beck (Frozen and Frozen II).

ViQueens is produced by Zwart Arbeid for Karve Animation, with animation and visual effects provided by Gimpville and post-production/audio services by OPCM. Executive producers are Torgeir Sanders of Gimpville (Troll, Troll Hunter), Robert Chandler of Space Age Films (The Amazing Maurice, The Canterville Ghost), Peter Clausen of OPCM (Lilyhammer, Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole, Troll, Billionaires Island), Andrew Williams of Vamonos, Rasmus Ramstad of Rumba AS, and Solveig Langeland of Sola Media, which is also handling worldwide sales.

ViQueens will premiere in Norway on Dec. 25.

Learn more at viqueensthemovie.com.

Source: Deadline.com