Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc (TSX-V:TBRD, OTCQX:THBRF) said its Great Pacific Media (GPM) division has partnered with the director, writer, and producer Brad Peyton and the visionary physicist Michio Kaku for its new series, If: Imagine the Impossible.
The futuristic drama-doc series is based on Underknown’s social media sensation, What If, the number one science program on social media, according to Tubular Labs, with 30 million-plus followers and over 10 billion views on YouTube.
“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,” said David Way, president of GPM, in a statement.
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“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,” Way added.
Thunderbird said Peyton joins 'If: Imagine the Impossible' as director and executive producer and will be responsible for bringing to life the incredible hypothetical scenarios the series will explore. A native of Gander, Newfoundland, Peyton is currently in production on Jennifer Lopez’s upcoming sci-fi thriller Atlas. Previously, he helmed Dwayne Johnson blockbusters San Andreas and Rampage and the Netflix series Daybreak.
“Designing stunning new worlds is a true passion of mine,” Peyton said. “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!”
Michio Kaku is a world leader in the physics and the science of alternate realities. A co-founder of string field theory and well-known popularizer of science, Thunderbird said Kaku will bring his infectious wonder and fascination to the screen as the narrator and on-screen expert. Behind the camera, he will serve as the series' lead science consultant.
“Every great discovery begins with a simple question: what if,” Kaku said. “This series brings to life seemingly impossible and exciting questions and explores our world in ways never imagined.”
Co-founded by CEO Steve Hulford, Thunderbird said Underknown is a digital-first media company focused on telling inspiring stories by boiling down complex subjects in a fun, engaging way. The data-powered studio 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,” Hulford said. “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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