National Geographic has announced a five-year first-look deal for unscripted content from Westbrook Studios, co-founded by Will Smith, who stars in the upcoming Disney+ original series Welcome to Earth.
(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
What’s Happening:
- Westbrook Studios has signed a five-year first-look deal for unscripted content with National Geographic.
- The company was co-founded by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez and Ko Yada
- Westbrook’s mission is to empower artists to tell stories that connect to the world.
- The development deal includes unscripted programs about exploration, travel, and science.
- The announcement was made today by National Geographic Content President Courteney Monroe at TCA’s Summer Press Tour.
- Welcome to Earth is a co-production between Westbrook Studios, Protozoa Pictures and Nutopia.
What They’re Saying:
- Courteney Monroe, National Geographic Content President: “Having spent the past two years working with Will and the team at Westbrook Studios (along with Darren Aronofsky and Nutopia) on Welcome to Earth, we are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with them and entering into a long-term partnership to produce blockbuster nonfiction content. Will and Westbrook share our passion for telling bold, best-in-class stories that ignite curiosity and inspire people to explore and care about our world, and we can’t wait to see where our next adventures together take us.”
- Terence Carter, Westbrook Studios Co-President and Head of Television:“Will and I are thrilled to partner with National Geographic to bring the astonishing imagery of nature and science to screens around the world. We strive to empower artists to tell stories that connect humanity, and Courteney and the entire Nat Geo team share that vision. Through these stories, we invite audiences to see the wonder and beauty of the world around us and to experience the endless adventure and exploration that’s possible on our humbling planet.