04.03.03
The
Blue Planet set for movie release
BBC
Worldwide, the commercial consumer arm of the BBC, has signed a
co-production agreement with German based Greenlight Media, for
a feature length version of the widely acclaimed BBC series, The
Blue Planet.
Greenlight
Media, the leading German executive production and international
distribution company, will also coordinate all global sales activities
in regard to the TV and video/DVD rights of the film in conjunction
with BBC Worldwide.
This
agreement is part of a long-term deal between BBC Worldwide and
Greenlight Media to bring the best of the BBC's Natural History
Unit output to the big screen.
A theatrical
version of The Blue Planet (working title) will be far more than
just a natural history spectacle, with plans for an emotive 90-minute
roller coaster tour of the oceans. Academy Awardâ-nominated
composer George Fenton is re-scoring the soundtrack and with minimum
narration, the film will be a totally 'immersive' experience.
Alix
Tidmarsh, Director of IPM Factual, commented: "To move such
a significant step forward on a feature length version of The Blue
Planet is very exciting. Greenlight Media's experience makes them
the ideal partner to secure the funding we need to get this movie
made."
Sophokles
Tasioulis, Greenlight Media's Vice President of Production, said:
"We believe natural history documentaries are so powerful and
emotional that they should be put on the big screen. Teaming up
with BBC Worldwide is just the right thing to do. This agreement
will provide us with the best natural history productions worldwide."
Over
12 million people watched The Blue Planet when it aired on BBC ONE
in the UK in September 2001 and regularly achieved an audience share
of over 30%. A truly global phenomenon, it has since sold to over
50 countries.
The
deal is another example of how BBC Worldwide is successfully extending
its landmark programmes into new markets. In addition to the full
range of BBC Worldwide products, Blue Planet Concerts have been
staged and a 5-minute theatrical short played in 30 UK cinemas alongside
the children's animated film, Help I'm A Fish!
The
Blue Planet is a BBC/Discovery Channel co-production.
Notes for editors:
BBC
Worldwide
Factual
IPM
(Intellectual Property Management) is the factual marketing division
of BBC Worldwide. It was created to drive value from key BBC factual
properties with genuine cross-media potential for development into
global brands and properties. The IPM team works closely with the
other divisions of BBC Worldwide and with BBC Television.
Greenlight
Media and peppermint
Greenlight Media provides development, finance, production and distribution
for international quality films. It is committed to delivering strong
entertainment brands to audiences all around the world in both film
and non-film media. Founded in 1993, Greenlight Media took off with
the launch of the wildly successful animated TV series 'SimsalaGrimm',
which has since been distributed to over 125 territories worldwide,
making it Germany's number one exported TV series of all time.
Peppermint,
Greenlight's distribution arm, is a global entertainment company
providing content across all media throughout the world with offices
in Germany, Hungary and Malaysia. peppermint's mandate is to acquire
and distribute quality programming as well as theatrical feature
films with strong international appeal across all genres. The company
specialises in co-financing and project development through strategic
alliances with international partners.
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