Earth Day is traditionally used by Disneynature as a launch platform for its documentary films, and this year it was all about Penguins. Now, the company is looking ahead with the revelation that the next film in the series will debut on Disney+, the much-anticipated streaming service launching in the U.S. on Nov. 12.
Academy Award-winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan, the Star Wars prequels) narrates Dolphin Reef, an undersea dive with some of Earth’s most captivating creatures. The film is directed by Keith Scholey (Disneynature’s Bears).
“Disneynature takes audiences to spectacular and remote places to share remarkable wildlife stories captured by our award-winning film crews,” says Paul Baribault, vice president of Disneynature. “For Penguins, which is in theaters now, moviegoers get to explore the vast and unforgiving Antarctic environment through the eyes of an Adélie penguin. Dolphin Reef takes us to a thriving coral reef — one of the most fascinating and dynamic habitats on Earth — to see the incredible creatures who consider reefs their home.”
Dolphin Reef introduces Echo, a young Pacific bottlenose dolphin who can’t quite decide if it’s time to grow up and take on new responsibilities. Dolphin society is tricky, and the coral reef that Echo and his family call home depends on all of its inhabitants to keep it healthy. But Echo has a tough time resisting the many adventures the ocean has to offer.
The film joins the Disney+ nonfiction slate alongside Be Our Chef, Cinema Relics: Iconic Art of the Movies (working title), Earthkeepers (working title), Encore!, Ink & Paint, Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2, Marvel’s 616, Marvel’s Hero Project, Magic of Animal Kingdom, (Re)Connect, Rogue Trip, Shop Class (working title), the untitled Walt Disney Imagineering documentary series, and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
Penguins will also be available on Disney+ next year.
Photo: Disney
