Disney Developing Jane Goodall Movie Penned by The Luminaries Writer

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Disney Developing Jane Goodall Movie Penned by The Luminaries Writer

Disney has always done a great job creating inspirational biopics like Saving Mr. Banks, Secretariat, and this year’s Young Woman and the Sea. However, the entertainment conglomerate isn’t through yet with shelling out inspirational stories. Celebrated conservationist, Jane Goodall, will finally have her own Disney biopic penned by The Luminaries writer Eleanor Catton.

Jane Goodall has spent the past sixty years studying the social and family interactions of chimpanzees in their natural environment. The British zoologist challenged the male-dominated field in the ’60s by showing human behaviors may have been inherited by common ancestors connected to chimps. As The Jane Goodall Institute was a conservation partner for the Disneynature documentary Chimpanzee, the primatologist confirmed to Deadline that she’ll finally get her own biopic by Disney.

“They’re making a film about me with an actress,” said Goodall. “I’ve seen the first draft of the script and made a lot of comments.”

Not only has Jane Goodall given her blessing to the upcoming Disney project, but she’ll also serve as producer. Other big names that will join the Disney biopic will be Eleanor Catton who’ll serve as screenwriter. The New Zealand writer is known for her historical fiction novel The Luminaries and also penned the award-winning miniseries adaptation. Catton has also written the screenplay of the 2020 film adaptation of Emma starring Anya Taylor-Joy.

Disney will also be collaborating with Leonardo DiCaprio‘s company Appian Way Productions who will help produce the biopic. Jane Goodall and Appian Way will also produce the upcoming live-action movie, Howl, told from a dog and wolf’s perspective. Howl is currently under pre-production.

Jane Goodall documentaries to stream

To catch up on Jane Goodall’s contributions to society, she’s got over 40 documentaries for you to watch.

On Hulu, there’s the biographical documentary Jane which shows never-before-seen footage of Goodall’s early explorations and research in Tanzania. You can also learn about her extensive groundbreaking fieldwork with the chimps.

There’s also the Disney+ National Geographic doc Jane Goodall: The Hope highlighting her journey from scientist to inspirational activist. The documentary Jane’s Journey found on Tubi is about the energy the London native uses to save the planet as a UN Messenger of Peace.

With Jane Goodall being the subject of so many documentaries, books, and specials, Disney will undoubtedly bring together the chimpanzee expert’s extraordinary life. Make sure to keep checking in for casting and release date info.