National Geographic Greenlights New Film Based On The “127 Hours” Story
Disney has announced details on a brand new untitled documentary film from National Geographic, which will be created by Academy Award-winning director James Marsh (“Man on Wire,” “The Theory of Everything”) and tell the story of gripping true story of Aron Ralston, who inspired the Academy Award-nominated Searchlight Pictures film “127 Hours”.
The film will feature intimate, never-before-seen footage filmed by Ralston while he was pinned by a boulder in a remote Utah canyon. The outdoor adventurer’s raw video diary documents six harrowing days, revealing his innermost thoughts and struggle to survive before making an unimaginable life-or-death decision.
Carolyn Bernstein, EVP, National Geographic Documentary Films, said in a statement regarding the new film:
“James Marsh has been at the top of our list of dream directors since the launch of our doc films banner almost a decade ago. It is a true bucket list moment to work with him on this enthralling, visceral and deeply human story. Ralston’s grit and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, coupled with unique access to his personal archive, make this story the perfect addition to our character-driven slate of films that inspire viewers to deepen their connection to each other and to the natural world.”
James Marsh also added:
“Aron’s story is one of the great adventure stories of our time, a breathtaking tale of excruciating fear, suffering, courage and endurance. The recordings Aron made during his ordeal are unique and powerfully emotional, and they are an amazing gift to a filmmaker. He tells us what he was feeling and thinking throughout the time he was imprisoned, as he vacillates between hope and despair. Nat Geo has a brilliant track record in producing ambitious, cinematic documentaries that have moved and excited audiences, and they are the perfect home for this extraordinary project. I’m delighted to bring it to life alongside my close collaborators at Magna.”
Oliver Calleja, SVP of Non-fiction, Magna Studios, also added:
“Aron’s footage is an astonishing, raw account of someone trapped in a perilous and profound dilemma. We knew it deserved a filmmaker who would excel in doing Aron and his recordings justice, and, given the creative alliance we share with James, he was always our first and dream choice. This is precisely the sort of impactful narrative we seek out and champion, and Nat Geo is the perfect partner for it. The project will be an incredible addition to our burgeoning body of work.”
No details on when this film will be released have been announced, but following a likely short theatrical release, expect it to drop onto Disney+ and Hulu at a later date.
Roger’s Take: The “127 Hours” movie was an interesting tale, and it’ll be interesting to learn more about the real story behind it, but I do also think it might be pretty gnarly to see footage after he cuts off his arm, so it might not be for the squeamish.
Are you looking forward to watching this documentary? Let me know on social media!
