Animal Planet’s top-rated program, THE FUTURE IS WILD, returns with three all-new episodes, which take a look at how natural selection (with some CGI help) will push Earth’s flora and fauna to some amazing adaptations. The two-hour documentaries made their world premiere on Tuesdays, July 8, 15 and 22, 2003 from 9:00-11:00 pm.
THE FUTURE IS WILD, first introduced January 1, shattered Animal Planet’s household and demo ratings record. It became Animal Planet’s #1 primetime program among households and persons 25-54, and was the #2 ad-supported cable program in primetime, thanks to its futuristic depictions of everything from eight-ton land squids to mammal-wrangling spiders, millions of years from now. Spirit Creative in Washington D.C created effects.
In these new episodes of THE FUTURE IS WILD, top scientists lend their insight into this strange new world as computer images envision almost unbelievable beasts and show these fantastic creatures battling for survival in newly harsh climates. Millions of years from now, as these futurists envision it, planet Earth is devoid of humans. Earth’s previous inhabitants have left to populate the solar system and have sent back a space probe to study what’s become of the world they knew.
The same team from Spirit Creative that did the two-hour special has brought their vision to these episodes. Creative director is Paul Bond, lead 3D animator is Randy Ramsey, Sameer Zavery is lead motion graphics designer, while Ralph Procida serves as freelance designer.
THE FUTURE IS WILD bases its predictions on the genetic and environmental factors known to influence evolutionary change. It also shows the linkage between species past, present and future. Viewers will meet creatures in familiar places that don’t look at all like their 21st century selves.
Five million years from now, Paris will be a vast arctic tundra … populated by a vicious saber-toothed snowstalker … shagrats, monster rodents the size of sheep … and the immense gannet whale. Where the Mediterranean now flows, a parched salt desert will house creatures like the scrofa, evolved from wild boar into a master rock forager. Where Chicago now thrives, a vast desert will be home to armor-coated rats and menacing giant bats. And with the rainforest gone, the Amazon’s now over-baked savanna will house babookaris, perhaps the last primates on earth.
In 100 million years, a vast Bengal swamp may harbor lurkfish that strike with 1,000 volts. Moscow will be part of a vast shallow sea filled with strange sailing jellyfish, giant predatory sea slugs and ferocious sea spiders. Antarctica will be a lush rain forest, with the foot-long falconfly, a voracious wasp with vicious jaws. A spitfire bird will fill its tanks with the lethal nectar of the spitfire flower. Meanwhile, in the mountains of the former Australia, a giant bird will have two sets of wings, silverspiders will live in massive colonies and the furry-faced mammal known as the poggle isn’t faring well.
In 200 million years, a volcanic planet will suffer mass extinction. New species appear, such as flying fish, squid that change color and insects that shoot glue. Rio de Janeiro, swallowed by a global ocean, will harbor the sharkopath, descended from today’s jaw-dacious predators. The rainbow squid will be 120 feet of body, arms and tentacles. Silverswimmers evolve into all shapes and sizes to fill niches once taken by fish. THE FUTURE IS WILD in New York’s desert, where flesh-eating plants will devour giant hopping snails. And London will still be rainy, but it will be a rainforest with the very smart squibbon and a scary, shape-shifting slime mold called the slither sucker.
THE FUTURE IS WILD is produced for Animal Planet by John Adams Television and Big Rock Prods., in conjunction with Spirit Creative. Eugenie Vink is executive producer for Animal Planet, John Adams is exec producer for John Adams TV and Marc Etkind is producer for Big Rock Prods.
For an interactive look at these rare and incredible new creatures, log on to
www.discovery.com and click on Animal Planet. Animal Planet, available in more than 82 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals. Discovery Networks, U.S., a unit of Discovery Communications, Inc., operates and manages the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, the Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids and a family of newer, targeted channels. The unit also distributes BBC America.
