Brett Morgen is partnering with the National Geographic Channel to create a documentary on Dr. Jane Goodall, the network announced Thursday.
Morgen, known for the Emmy-nominated documentary “Cobain: Montage of Heck” and the Academy Award-nominated movie “On the Ropes,” will direct, produce and write the untitled feature biopic about the world’s most beloved primatologist.
The director will draw on recently re-discovered archived film from Dr. Goodall’s early research at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania during the 1960s. The documentary will have a theatrical release followed by a global television premiere on the National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and 45 languages.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to gain access to some amazing archives, but for me, the National Geographic archive of Jane and Hugo’s work represents one of the most beautiful, cinematic and historically vital documents of our time,” Morgen said.
“What was captured on film had never happened before and can never happen again,” he continued. “While Jane’s story has been told before, our hope is that this film will invite viewers to experience the joy, exhilaration, and thrill that Jane herself experienced in Gombe. This promises to be a truly immersive cinematic experience.”
The untitled project on Goodall is being produced for National Geographic Channel by National Geographic Studios, in association with Public Road Productions. For National Geographic Studios, Jeff Hasler and Jared Lipworth are executive producers. For Public Road Productions, Brett Morgen is producer, director and writer.