BBC Studios and China’s Orient International Holding Shanghai Foreign Trade Co. are planning to supersize natural history.
They have struck a co-production and co-distribution deal to create Asia: Wildlife at the Extremes (working title), a giant screen adaptation of the landmark BBC’s natural history series Asia.
Asia explored the continent’s deserts seas and mountains, exploring many of the animals that have adapted to survive in the continent’s most extreme environments. Adapted by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, Asia: Wildlife at the Extremes (working title) will “soon” launch as a 3D giant screen experience.
Shooting on the original series spanned the peaks of the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean among other locations, with the filmmakers capturing red pandas, the Pacific Ocean’s deadly sea bunny and a never-before-seen shark feeding frenzy.
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Viewers will be able to see a 40-minute giant screen version at IMAX and CINITY venues or a 20-minute ‘Dome’ version.
BBC Studios and Orient International will then co-distribute the film globally, with BBC Studios using SK Films to distribute on its behalf.
Jonny Keeling, Head of Natural History Unit, BBC Studios said: “We are really excited to now expand our decade-long partnership with Orient International for giant screen films into co-production. Asia was much-loved by viewers in the UK, performed very well for our partners in China, as well as across the globe. We believe that Asia: Wildlife at the Extremes, as the bespoke giant screen adaptation of our landmark natural history series, will delight even more audiences in China.”
Wang Haitao, General Manager of Orient International Holding Shanghai Foreign Trade added: “Together with BBC Studios, we’ve brought seven giant screen films to China’s science museums, providing an immersive viewing experience to younger generations. We are pleased to partner with BBC Studios, who will bring their innovative production skills and compelling storytelling capabilities to natural history programming, and we can’t wait to immerse ourselves in this incredible continent on giant screen.”
The deal is the latest for the BBC’s commercial arm unveiled during a busy week in London, where a majority of the world’s distributors are showcasing their latest wares. The BBC Studios Showcase was held at 180 Strand on Monday.