CBC commissions One Tribe TV and Hemmings Films for science documentary The Real King Kong

The Real King Kong (1 x 60 mins) is produced for CBC’s renowned science and nature series, The Nature of Things. The film is also being made for cinematic release in partnership with London-based Featuristic Films. It follows the globe-spanning scientific discovery and investigation of the prehistoric Gigantopithecus blacki based on current fossil discoveries. This ice-age primate has inspired the legends of the Yeti and Sasquatch.

Standing up to 3.7 metres tall and weighing as much as 300kg, Gigantopithecus blacki remains one of prehistory’s greatest mysteries, with scientists still divided over whether climate change, habitat collapse or the arrival of early humans ultimately drove the species to extinction.

Blending cutting-edge animation, dramatic reconstruction and with access to leading international palaeontologists and anthropologists, the film examines how this mighty Ice Age ape lived, evolved and ultimately disappeared after surviving on Earth for almost two million years. Advanced visual effects created in collaboration with Toronto-based VFX studio GhostFX will recreate the world of the Pleistocene epoch and bring Gigantopithecus blacki to life on screen.

Dale Templar, Executive Producer and Founder of One Tribe, said: ‘The enduring success of both the King Kong and Planet of the Apes franchises displays the human fascination with primates, our closest living relatives. Most people don’t realise that a giant ape, a real King Kong, once roamed Asia. Using powerful storytelling with cutting-edge science and cinematic spectacle, this film takes viewers into the Ice Age world of the mega-fauna, while exploring a contemporary narrative about extinction, climate change and humanity’s relationship with the natural world’.

The film follows an international team of scientists digging for Gigantopithecus blacki and early humans in the Karst cave systems of southern China. Here they unravel the mystery of an animal known only through fossilised teeth and jawbones, with an investigation that crosses Europe and North America. The film aims to discover what this huge ape looked like and why it became extinct after around 2 million years on the planet.

Evan Ottoni, President at Hemmings Films, said: ‘The Real King Kong showcases how today's documentary filmmakers are combining innovative technologies with international collaboration to create bold, cinematic science storytelling for global audiences. We're delighted to once again partner with CBC and One Tribe TV on a project that explores one of natural history's most fascinating untold stories, helping audiences contextualise humanity's relationship with our closest kin’.

Meredith Coral, Head of TV at Featuristic Films, added: ‘We’re incredibly proud to be part of this extraordinary film. The Real King Kong is a perfect example of how advances in cutting-edge technology can give filmmakers the opportunity to breathe life into ancient history in a way that feels genuinely cinematic and emotionally compelling. The story of Gigantopithecus blacki is one that deserves to be seen by audiences around the world, and we're excited to be bringing this bold, ambitious and cinematic vision to the big screen’.

The Real King Kong follows the success of The Berg, which was also commissioned by CBC for The Nature of Things and produced in partnership with Hemmings Films. This latest collaboration further strengthens the growing relationship between the Canadian broadcaster, Hemmings Films and One Tribe TV on ambitious premium factual programming with international appeal.

One Tribe produces a wide range of factual and specialist factual content through its natural world arm, spanning wildlife, adventure, science, travel and environmental programming. Recent productions include Wonders of the Celtic Deep (BBC), The Berg (CBC/ZDF), Unknown Belize (Amazon Prime), The Emerald Isles with Ardal O’Hanlon (BBC/SBS/TG4), adventure series Uncharted Amazon (Prime Video), Yellow River Adventures with host Ash Dykes (CCTV/Insight), The Truth About Antibiotics (BBC) and Life at Anna’s Zoo, a new digital-first wildlife series hosted by Anna Ryder Richardson. Last month, One Tribe announced a new collaboration with global factual content distributor Off the Fence and John Downer Productions, marking a first-of-its-kind partnership in the natural history genre and the global market. Under the deal, the partners will go to market with a robust development slate of natural history projects, offering co-development and co-production opportunities.

The Real King Kong is produced by One Tribe TV, Hemmings Films and Featuristic Films. It was commissioned by CBC for The Nature of Things. LGI Media is handling international distribution.