Movies

Tom Hanks Takes the Nature Documentary Crown from David Attenborough!

BBG News

In a change of hands for the renowned BBC nature documentary series, it’s Tom Hanks who steps up as the new host, replacing Sir David Attenborough, to delve into the vast landscapes spanning across the Americas in an upcoming show.

68-year-old, two-time Academy Award recipient, stars in a captivating 10-episode natural history series that delves into diverse ecosystems across two continents.

The recently unveiled spectacle is a challenging endeavor, spanning a period of five years and involving no less than 180 excursions for its production.

Tom is giving his voiceover to describe the beautifully filmed sequences, as well as offering informative insights to viewers.

Mike Gunton, the TV producer, shared that the decision to have Forrest Gump’s actor lend his voice to the series came when his name spontaneously occurred to him during his brainstorming session with Hollywood executives.

He clarified that Tom was similar to the 98-year-old biologist David in terms of qualifications, and thus ideally suited to succeed the renowned presenter.

Mike reminisced: ‘I’d recently completed a project alongside David Attenborough, and I found myself pondering, “Who is the counterpart? Who is everyone eager to collaborate with? Who is trusted by all? Whose voice does everyone want to listen to?” Undoubtedly, it was Tom Hanks.’

In simpler terms, he said that having Tom in the nature series makes it feel like he’s right here next to you, sharing an exciting discovery as if he’s whispering in your ear, instead of a disembodied voice dictating events.

The show is set to present a unique collection of animal behaviors never before recorded, featuring bison roaming across the Great Plains, polar bears in Hudson Bay, and male blue whales swimming swiftly along the California coastline.

Speaking about his fascination with the Americas, Mike, known for projects such as Planet Earth II and Dynasties, stated, “From a natural perspective, it’s like one massive continent that offers incredible diversity.

This location is unique as it stretches all the way to the polar regions, both the Arctic in the north and the Antarctic in the south. It divides oceans and includes the Tropics of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, the Equator, and a variety of habitats.

Additionally, he emphasized the significance of highlighting the charm of the American continent during periods of political discord within the United States.

He pointed out: ‘Now would be a great moment to emphasize how unique this is. You possess something truly extraordinary, and it’s worth cherishing. However, it’s fragile. It’s much like the song by Joni Mitchell suggests – you don’t realize its value until it disappears.’

Mike mentioned that this point struck a chord with Tom during the entire project, adding: “Tom shares that sentiment equally.

He emphasized the importance of acknowledging that these marvels are nearby and easily accessible, yet they’re delicate and valuable; we must take care to preserve them.

This announcement follows shortly after Tom and his spouse Rita Wilson pledged a million dollars (around £792,400) for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts, as their home was barely spared from the fires that occurred in January.

On a Friday, the pair posted on Instagram a unified message offering sympathy to those affected by the fire and gratitude towards the emergency services.

They mentioned that they planned to contribute a grand sum of $1 million, distributed among five distinct organizations, with the aim of assisting those affected by the fires in both Palisades and Eton.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to highlight some of the key organizations that truly make a difference in our community:

1. The Motion Picture and Television Fund, which is dedicated to empowering and supporting those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
2. The Los Angeles Fire Foundation, whose brave firefighters are always ready to lend a helping hand in times of need within our city.
3. The SAG-AFTRA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, which stands by actors, artists, and performers during their toughest times, providing essential aid.
4. The American Red Cross, whose humanitarian efforts extend far and wide, offering support to those affected by disasters across the nation.
5. MusiCares, an organization that prioritizes the well-being of musicians, ensuring they have access to resources during challenging moments in their careers.

Each of these organizations plays a crucial role in our community, and I encourage everyone to learn more about them and consider supporting their missions.

Hello everyone,

Just like many of us, I’m deeply affected by the destruction caused by the Altadena and Palisades fires. Rebuilding and restoring these communities will undoubtedly be a formidable task.

Best regards,
[Your Name] – Lifestyle Expert

We’re incredibly thankful for the first responders and firefighters, hailing from various places, who tirelessly gave their best efforts to protect homes and lives.

Let’s shift our focus towards the future for our city, local communities, and fellow residents. We are planning to distribute a total of $1 million among these selected organizations to offer assistance to those in need and recognize the efforts of those who have helped us.

The couple kindly requested the public’s help by saying: ‘Should you be able, we invite you to contribute along with us. Every little bit counts, doesn’t it?’

Other prominent celebrities like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, and Beyoncé, among others, have also made personal donations to aid fire victims, similar to what they’ve pledged.

Tom and Rita have made a donation following the recent devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Hollywood Hills that destroyed several celebrities’ luxury homes worth millions, over a month ago.

In the group were well-known figures such as Anthony Hopkins, Anna Faris, Paris Hilton, Candy Spelling, Heidi Montag, John Goodman, and Miles Teller.

Similarly to Tom, Chris Pratt, Rebel Wilson, Tom Brady, Dan Aykroyd, Steven Spielberg, and Jennifer Love Hewitt all managed to keep their homes from being consumed by fire, barely escaping the flames.

Tom’s massive 26 million-dollar house was captured standing perilously near a fire, but luckily, the flames were extinguished at the last moment, barely leaving a scratch on it. Unfortunately, the house situated above it didn’t escape unscathed and ended up being consumed by the fire.

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2025-02-24 19:09

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