Erling Haaland steps into the world of film
Erling Haaland is set to swap the football pitch for the recording studio after landing his first film role, reports BritPanorama.
The Manchester City striker will make his acting debut by voicing an animated version of himself in the upcoming family film Viqueens. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 25-year-old will portray a Viking character named Haaland in the adventure-comedy, which is currently in production.
The film is directed and co-written by Harald Zwart, the filmmaker known for works such as The Karate Kid and Agent Cody Banks. Zwart noted that Haaland’s involvement adds a natural authenticity to the project, commenting, “As a Norwegian storyteller making a Viking adventure for a global audience, having Erling Haaland join feels incredibly exciting.”
Haaland, who has become a kind of real-life Viking icon globally—”powerful, fearless and uniquely Norwegian,” as Zwart described—brings an unexpected energy and authenticity to the film. Solveig Langeland also commended his global appeal, saying, “Erling Haaland transcends sports – he’s a global cultural figure.”
The inclusion of Haaland adds a new dimension to a film that combines international adventure, humor, and emotional storytelling, designed to resonate with audiences worldwide. The striker joins a lineage of fellow footballers who have ventured into entertainment, such as David Beckham, who made his big-screen debut in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Former Wimbledon hardman Vinnie Jones has also had a successful acting career, appearing in notable films like X-Men: The Last Stand. Haaland’s transition into acting comes as he consolidates his status as one of the most recognisable athletes globally, even as his primary focus remains on football.
City is still vying for the Premier League title against Arsenal, with only two matches left in the campaign. Haaland is expected to lead the line when City travels to Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
As he embarks on this new chapter, one can’t help but wonder how the pitch translates to the studio—whether the charisma that defines Haaland as an athlete will captivate audiences in a different arena.
