The only thing better than a movie about penguins would be a movie about penguins narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch has a very difficult time pronouncing the world “penguin” for some odd reason (check out the video here), and if Team Disney was smart they’d sign him up to narrate their 2019 Penguins to add additional buzz to the Disneynature theatrical release.
Penguins is set to open in theaters on Earth Day 2019. The film marks the eighth Disneynature theatrical release following 2007’s Earth, 2009’s Oceans, 2011’s African Cats, 2012’s Chimpanzee, 2014’s Bears, 2015’s Monkey Kingdom, and 2017’s Born in China. Narrators of Disneynature’s theatrical releases have included James Earl Jones, Pierce Brosnan, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Allen, John C. Reilly, Tina Fey, and John Krasinski.
The penguins-centric film comes from the filmmakers behind Bears and Chimpanzee. Alastair Fothergill directed with Mark Linfield and Jeff Wilson co-directing. Fothergill, Linfield, Keith Scholey, and Roy Conli served as producers.
Disneynature is an independent film label within Walt Disney Studios. Per Disney, “Disneynature’s commitment to conservation is a key pillar of the label and the films empower the audience to help make a difference, with each film driving significant conservation outcomes, supporting wildlife featured in the films.”
The Plot: Disneynature’s all-new feature film Penguins is a coming-of-age story about 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.”
