“Penguins” directors Alastair Fothergill and Jeff Wilson, producer Roy Conli and narrator Ed Helms joined special guests, including environmental iconand Disneynature Ambassador Dr. Jane Goodall, at a special screening today hosted by Disneynature and the Cinema Society. The event, which took place at the IMAX® Theater at AMC Lincoln Square, celebrated Disneynature’s new feature film with the following celebrity guests in attendance: Sofia Coppola, Liev Schreiber, Edie Falco, Josh Lucas, Jane Krakowski, Beth Stern, Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Geneva Carr (Bull),l, Mackenzie Meehan (Bull), Sami Gayle (Blue Bloods), Stacey Bendet Eisner, Leigh Lezark, Gretta Monahan & Ricky Paull Goldin, Josh Hamilton, Jazmin Grimaldi & Ian Mellencamp.
For 10 years, Disneynature has transported moviegoers around the world and under the sea, showcasing an array of animals that have touched the hearts of millions. A mama bear treks through snowy Alaskan terrain on a mission to feed her new spring cubs. A tiny orphaned chimpanzee is adopted by the most unlikely member of his extended family. A panda bear cub tests her boundaries—and her watchful mother. And a clueless-but-captivating first-time father penguin finds his way among millions of fellow penguins. Indeed, as Disneynature marks a decade since its first feature-film debut, its newest film, “Penguins,” begins its 10-day countdown till opening day—just in time for Earth Day.
Check out the video celebrating Disneynature’s first 10 years, including a few sneak peeks at what’s in store for the next few years.
Openingin theaters and in IMAX® on April 17, “Penguins” isa coming-of-age story narrated by Ed Helms (“The Office,” “The Hangover” trilogy,”The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”) about an Adélie penguin named Steve who’s on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he's targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after. “Penguins” continues Disneynature’s conservation tradition: for every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2019), Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) to help protect penguins across the southern hemisphere.
According to Paul Baribault, vice president of Disneynature, the commitment to conservation is a key pillar of the label, and the films empower the audience to help make a difference. “Each film inspires a new conservation initiative, ranging from planting millions of trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest to the establishment of new marine protected areas, wild chimpanzee habitats and wildlife corridors, plus many more projects benefiting countless species,” said Baribault. “This 10-year milestone celebrates our commitment to working with the best nature filmmakers and premiere conservation organizations to not only inspire audiences to care about our natural world, but to make a direct impact through these programs.”
The first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, Disneynature was launched to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife stories on the big screen in order to engage, inspire and educate theatrical audiences everywhere. All seven of Disneynature’s theatrical film releases—”Earth,” “Oceans,” “African Cats,” “Chimpanzee,” “Bears,” “Monkey Kingdom” and “Born in China”—rank among the top 10 highest overall grossing feature-length nature films to date, with “Chimpanzee” garnering a record-breaking opening weekend for the genre. “Penguins” is Disneynature’s eighth theatrical feature.
Ed Helms (“The Office,” “The Hangover” trilogy, “The Daily Show with John Stewart”) is diving in with “Penguins” this spring as narrator of Disneynature’s upcoming theatrical feature. The coming-of-age story follows an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he's targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after.
“Disney movies are filled with poignancy and real emotion, but also are extremely funny and relatable—this movie is no different,” says Helms. “It's a true life adventure with real footage of penguins in Antarctica, but told in a way that tugs at your heart strings a little and also has quite a few chuckles. For me, this movie is a very cool mash-up of narration and character work. I get to voice Steve’s inner monologue as well as straight narration. It was a really fun challenge for me—a privilege getting to imagine what this penguin might be thinking—and I’m really excited about it.”
Check out a video Helms recorded to share the announcement:
As an actor, writer and comedian, Helms established himself as one of Hollywood’s most beloved performers with scene-stealing roles on both film and television including NBC’s award-winning comedy series, “The Office,” and the box office smash hit film trilogy “The Hangover.”
“Penguins,” the first-ever Disneynature film to be released in IMAX® as the label, celebrates 10 years since its first feature film hit theaters. The film continues Disneynature’s conservation tradition: for every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2019), Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) to help protect penguins across the southern hemisphere. Founded in 2002, WCN invests in a select network of on-the-ground conservationists, including top experts in the field of penguins like the Global Penguin Society (GPS). The worldwide leader in science-based penguin conservation, GPS champions specific programs that align with Disneynature’s conservation mission.
From the filmmaking team behind “Bears” and “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature’s “Penguins” opens in theaters in time for Earth Day.
