Futuristic drama-doc based on Underknown’s digital series What If
VANCOUVER — Thunderbird Entertainment’s factual and scripted division Great Pacific Media (GPM) announced today it has signed Canadian director, writer and producer Brad Peyton and visionary physicist Michio Kaku to its new series If: Imagine the Impossible.
This futuristic drama-documentary series is based on Toronto-based digital media company Underknown’s Webby Award-winning series What If, “the number one science program on social media, according to Tubular Labs, with 30+ million followers and over 10 billion views on YouTube,” reads a press release.
“In collaboration with the producers at Underknown, we are thrilled to partner with the talented Brad Peyton and inspiring Michio Kaku, and work alongside this group of visionaries on a new drama-doc series,” says David Way, president of GPM, in the release.
“The production, which will be centered on seemingly impossible questions, epic journeys and unbridled curiosity, is a true reflection of GPM, and our unwavering commitment to creating vibrant, fresh factual-entertainment series.”
A native of Gander, Newfoundland, Peyton will serve as director and executive producer of If: Imagine the Impossible and will be responsible “for bringing to life the incredible hypothetical scenarios the series will explore,” the release says.
Peyton is currently in production on the upcoming Netflix sci-fi thriller Atlas, starring Jennifer Lopez. He previously directed the Dwayne Johnson blockbusters San Andreas and Rampage, as well as the Netflix series Daybreak.
“Designing stunning new worlds is a true passion of mine,” says Peyton, in the press release. “I can’t wait to create the wild alternative reality scenarios of If: Imagine the Impossible in an exciting drama-doc format that combines fact and fiction, and inspires awe and wonder!”
Kaku is a well-known popularizer of science and “a world leader in the physics and the science of alternate realities,” the release says. He will bring “his infectious wonder and fascination to the screen as the narrator and on-screen expert,” while also serving as the series’ lead science consultant.
“Every great discovery begins with a simple question: what if,” says Kaku. “This series brings to life seemingly impossible and exciting questions and explores our world in ways never imagined.”
Co-founded by CEO Steve Hulford, Underknown has produced more than 3,000 minutes of What If short-form content, such as “What If you got swallowed by a whale?”, “What If the Earth stopped spinning?” and “What If you could stop time?”
“What If has been an incredible journey, and the engagement we’ve had with fans across the world has surpassed all expectations,” says Hulford. “GPM has assembled an amazing team to take What If to a new level. We know audiences are going to love it!”
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