“SHREK” PRODUCER CREATES ADVENTURE SERIES BASED ON THE FUTURE IS WILD
Pioneering multimedia property to be reimagined
by Vanguard Films’ John H Williams
Los Angeles/Melbourne/Berlin, December 2015
John H Williams’ Vanguard Films has acquired the rights from The Future is Wild Australia to produce a major new 26-part sci-fi action-adventure TV series based upon the multi-award-winning multimedia property, The Future is Wild. Under the deal, Vanguard Films will develop and produce the series as a multi-national co-production, with the series having a broad, international appeal to viewers worldwide. The Future is Wild was conceived by Joanna Adams to explain and characterize in an accessible, entertaining and educational way the concept of the evolution and to explore the environmental changes that would affect the planet and its inhabitants over the next 200 million years. The original concept was produced in close collaboration with world-respected scientists and award-winning filmmakers and animators. With what were then incredible graphics, original storylines and music, the first documentary series exploded on to the world’s television screens in 2002 with the support of several leading broadcasters, including Discovery, ZDF, NHK and the BBC. Its debut in the US on Animal Planet broke all viewing records and remains the cable network’s highest-rated premiere ever. Since then, the The Future is Wild brand has been successfully rolled out across territories, platforms and media to include book publishing, children’s entertainment, educational materials, toys, games, theme-park rides and exhibitions. Commenting on this most recent collaboration, Adams said: “John and I first discussed The Future Is Wild nearly 20 years ago. In fact, I still have the notes of our conversation. John instantly understood and shared my vision for what I truly believe is a unique idea. I’m absolutely delighted by this new collaboration. The Future is Wild could not be in better hands. Re-creating some of the original stories and developing some of the original themes further with the benefit of modern technology will give the brand an incredible lift and help launch it in a whole new direction.” John Williams, the originating producer of the animated Shrek movies, added: “We believe The Future Is Wild will be a spectacular franchise launch point for us into quality television. The creative possibilities of the property are spectacular, and we believe it will be a magnet to attract some of the best writers, directors and show runners in the business.”
About the Future is Wild Australia Pty Ltd:
The Future is Wild Australia Pty Ltd was founded in 2012 by Joanna Adams’ commercial partner, Gerhard Sieber. Headquartered in Melbourne, The Future is Wild Australia Pty Ltd merged in 2014 with the original, The Future is Wild Ltd. in the United Kingdom. Spearheaded by Mr. Sieber’s production, marketing and distribution company, ICESTORM Entertainment GmbH and The Future is Wild’s creator and Chief Visionary Officer Joanna Adams in Berlin, Germany, The Future is Wild Pty Ltd is committed to promoting, marketing, enhancing and extending the brand around the globe. Mr. Sieber said: “I’m extremely excited that we are able to welcome John Williams into The Future is Wild – Family, somebody with such outstanding experience and track record. Coinciding with this new series development, we are rolling out our plans for digital media, such as mobile games, apps and interactive multimedia books. This will help to ensure that the cross-marketing opportunities are significant, both in product as well as geographic terms.”
About Vanguard Films:
Vanguard Films’ past film credits include Seven Years in Tibet with Brad Pitt, DreamWorks The Tuxedo with Jackie Chan, and On The Road with Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart,. The Future Is Wild will be a long time return to television for Vanguard, which originally launched by producing for American Playhouse, Great Performances, HBO, Showtime and American Masters. John Williams is also the originating producer of the Shrek franchise.
For more information, please contact:
John Williams
Vanguard Films and Animation
6121 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tel +1 310 888 8020
Email john@vanguardfilms.com
Gerhard Sieber
The Future is Wild Australia Pty Ltd
430 Old Moorooduc Road
Tuerong, VIC 3915
Tel +61 4 077 506 92
Email Gerhard@tfiw.de
Joanna Adams
The Future is Wild Germany
Friedrichstrasse 55A
10117, Berlin
Tel +49 424 814 45
Email jo.adams@tfiw.de