Ketchup Entertainment picked up U.S. rights to “ViQueens,” a Norwegian animated adventure from the director of the 2010 Karate Kid. Frozen composer Christophe Beck wrote the score.
Ketchup Entertainment is not slowing down.
The company that put “Coyote vs. Acme” into theaters after Warner Bros. shelved it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “ViQueens,” a Norwegian animated feature.
Ella Purnell and Rita Ora lead the voice cast. Christophe Beck, who scored both Frozen films, wrote the music.
What is ViQueens about?
Two Viking girls and a very long trip.
Ingrid and Hedvig break with tradition to return a stowaway boy to China.
The journey takes them from the fjords of Norway through Byzantine political intrigue and along the Silk Road, mixing Viking grit with ancient Chinese wisdom, unlikely alliances and a bit of magic.
Who is in the ViQueens cast?
Ella Purnell voices Ingrid. Purnell starred in “Arcane,” “Fallout” and “Yellowjackets.”
Rita Ora, who appeared in “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu,” joins her.
The supporting cast includes Steve Speirs as King Erik, Anton Lesser as Lars and Alan Carr as the Bard.
Who directed ViQueens?
Harald Zwart, and his credits are not what you would expect from an animated Viking film.
Zwart directed the 2010 “Karate Kid” remake with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, along with “The 12th Man” and “Agent Cody Banks.”
Veslemøy Ruud Zwart produces through Zwart Arbeid.
“ViQueens has been a true labor of love,” Zwart said, describing the goal as a Viking story that felt fresh and unexpected, filled with adventure and humor but also curiosity and cultural connection.
His producer framed it around family audiences. “For Harald and me, ViQueens has always been about creating something that families could experience together,” she said, calling finding the right U.S. partner incredibly important.
Who is scoring ViQueens?
Christophe Beck, which is the detail Disney fans will notice.
Beck composed the scores for “Frozen” and “Frozen II.” His broader credits run through “Ant-Man,” “The Hangover” and “Edge of Tomorrow.”
An animated adventure with a Frozen composer attached is not an accident. Ketchup is aiming at the same family audience.
When does ViQueens come out?
There is no U.S. date yet.
Ketchup says a theatrical date is in the works.
The film opens in Norway, its home territory, on Dec. 25. Sola Media handles international sales.
The U.S. campaign started with a teaser attached to “Coyote vs. Acme” in theaters.
Why did Ketchup want this movie?
Because the last animated bet worked.
Gareth West, the company’s CEO, called it exactly the kind of film Ketchup likes to champion, describing it as an ambitious, original animated story with a strong cinematic identity.
He also tied it to Norway’s run at the World Cup, saying the country captivated the world with its energy and that the film brings the same to the screen.
How did Coyote vs. Acme actually do?
Well enough to explain this purchase.
“Coyote vs. Acme” opened to $15.9 million domestically, the biggest opening in Ketchup Entertainment’s history. It was heading toward roughly $37 million domestic by Labor Day.
That is the company’s best domestic opening and its highest overall title total to date.
For comparison, Ketchup’s previous Looney Tunes release, “The Day the Earth Blew Up,” finished its entire run at $8.9 million.
What else has Ketchup Entertainment released?
Gareth West founded the company with partners Vahan Yepremyan and Artur Galstian, launching its distribution division in 2012.
Past releases include “Hypnotic” with Ben Affleck, “Memory” with Jessica Chastain, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” and “Goodrich.”
This year alone the company has handled “Ozi: Voice of the Forest,” “Misdirection” and “Coyote vs. Acme.” It also produced “Ferrari” for Michael Mann.
Norwegian animation has broken through in the U.S. before, though rarely. The “Captain Sabertooth” films have been the country’s most reliable animated export.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Deadline, the exclusive acquisition report, the Coyote vs. Acme box office figures and Harald Zwart’s statement
Animation Scoop, the full cast list, the plot synopsis and the Gareth West and Veslemøy Ruud Zwart quotes
Yahoo News Canada, the Sola Media international representation and the Norway release date
Wikipedia, the Ketchup Entertainment company history and release catalog
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