"Vikings: Valhalla": Is there a movie on the way?

The conclusion of season three of Vikings: Valhalla was, in many ways, the end of an era. Across 89 episodes, the highly influential TV series Vikings told the semi-mythical saga of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons. 

Valhalla then moved 100 years into the future, focusing on the lives of Harald Sigurdsson, Leif Erikson, and Freydís Eiríksdóttir in the first half of the 11th century. 

By the end of the story, the Vikings had reached the zenith of their power and influence, with their impact felt across Europe and beyond. 

Yet, while Valhalla was generally warmly received by critics and fans alike, the finale left many viewers feeling a sense of incompleteness, with loose ends aplenty. 

In the weeks since the final season premiered on July 11, there have been some wild rumors of a potential fourth series and even a film. But is this realistic, or are these merely the hopes of bereft enthusiasts of the show clutching at straws? 

Season three left many unanswered questions about the fates of Harald, Leif, Freydís, and Emma of Normandy. Source: Netflix, screenshot (Copyright, fair use)

Stories untold 

One thing is certain: the ending of Vikings: Valhalla season 3 left much unresolved. 

Harald Sigurdsson did apparently succeed in removing Magnus as co-ruler and fulfilling his destiny to become the undisputed king of Norway. 

At the same time, as Leif and Freydís departed on a ship bound west in search of the "golden land," the latter's son remained in the frozen north of Greenland, and her people were still under the yoke of the duo's father, Erik the Red. 

In England, Emma of Normandy's acquiescence to Harthacnut imposing himself on the throne felt much more like a temporary expedient than a satisfying conclusion to her own story. 

Nevertheless, the creator Jeb Stuart appears fully content with the conclusion of the series. 

In an interview with IGN, Stuart commented, "I am so grateful to have had three seasons to tell the stories of Leif, Harald, and Freydís. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to show the evolution of how three of the most famous Vikings became the icons we know today, and we have done just that." 

At the same time, Stuart had previously stated his ambition to tell a longer story, and there is a sense that he was initially reluctant to fully close out the story. 

Comments made by Stuart to Collider earlier this year indicate that the crew may have deliberately created a sense of ambiguity in the final scenes: "If, in fact, we were ever to do seasons 4, 5, and 6, or another show to take us to that conclusion, that 1066 moment that we were talking about, there is a story out there." 

So you're saying there's a chance? 

But does this mean there really is still a possibility of a fourth season of the epic tale? 

Unfortunately, it seems highly unlikely at this stage: before the premiere, Netflix expressly stated that the third season would be the final one of the series, and Stuart has at no point contradicted that assumption. 

There is, of course, a chance that either Netflix or another studio could decide to resurrect the show, just as happened with the likes of Futurama, Law and Order, and Twin Peaks, which all returned after a lengthy hiatus. 

At the same time, these instances are all too rare: in most cases, canceled shows never come back, no matter how popular they might be with their fans. 

Ultimately, TV producers will always want to back a clearly profitable show and will tend to shy away from those that have been marked by cancellation. 

It also becomes harder to lure actors back once they have been released from their contracts. 

Actor Sam Corlett mentioned the possibility of a "Vikings: Valhalla" movie, admitting that there have been discussions about a film wrap-up for the series. Source: Netflix, screenshot (Copyright, fair use)

Vikings: The Movie? 

One truly tantalizing possibility, however, was raised by Sam Corlett, who plays Leif Erikson in the series: the potential emergence of a Vikings: Valhalla film. 

Speaking to Collider, Corlett admitted there has been talk of a movie deal, though he also acknowledged this could be an equally complicated route. 

"There have been thoughts of a film wrap-up, which would be cool," stated Corlett. 

"In season 1 through season 3, with the introduction of all these incredible characters, there are so many things to tie up, so it would be hard to make it into a film. But I can definitely say that the return to Greenland and to the New World would be a really special little chapter detail." 

There is no question that this makes sense, especially as, in many ways, the most truly epic stories of the characters featured in Vikings: Valhalla is still to come. 

Indeed, Leif and Freydís's journeys to the unknown lands of America, their encounter with the Native Americans, and their attempts to set up a new Viking colony in Newfoundland are yet to be told. 

1066 and all that 

Arguably, even more exciting would be the prospect of watching the next generation, William of Normandy and Godwin's son Harald, contest the aging Harald Sigurdsson for the crown of England in the truly historic year of 1066. 

This period of history was truly epoch-defining and saw the Viking Age come to an end and the clear ascendance of the Normans. 

Perhaps surprisingly, given the significance of 1066 to British, French, and Scandinavian history, there have been few depictions of this momentous year in either film or television. 

Given the sheer drama of the events in those tumultuous 12 months, from Edward the Confessor's death in January to William the Conqueror's coronation on Christmas Day, what better way to provide a definitive end to the Vikings story?

We get to provide readers with original coverage thanks to our loyal supporters. Do you enjoy our work? You can become a PATRON here or via our Patreon page. You'll get access to exclusive content and early access.