Discovery Acquires Ryan Reynolds-Narrated Doc

NEW YORK: Discovery Channel has picked up worldwide rights for the documentary Huntwatch, about the efforts to end sealing, which is narrated by Ryan Reynolds and will air next month as part of the Discovery Impact banner.

The documentary will premiere on Discovery Channel immediately following a limited theatrical release by Discovery and Lionsgate and will debut worldwide later this year. Lionsgate will also distribute the film on home entertainment worldwide. Huntwatch is the second title in Discovery and Lionsgate’s documentary film partnership.

Huntwatch chronicles the fight to end the commercial seal hunt in Atlantic Canada. The documentary is produced by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). It is directed by Brant Backlund.

“Like most people, I thought the horrendous practice of clubbing baby seals for fur ended a long time ago,” said John Hoffman, the executive VP of documentaries and specials for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel. “By documenting these inhumane acts IFAW has created a valuable visual weapon to expose them. Discovery’s goal is to sound the alarm worldwide that this is still happening and ignite change.”

“We are delighted that Discovery is bringing Huntwatch to the world,” said IFAW President and CEO Azzedine Downes. “Discovery’s commitment and courage to present the film is inspiring and we hope that the massive global Discovery audience will join us to help relegate the commercial seal hunt to where it belongs—in history books. We couldn’t have a better partner for our film.”

Discovery Impact is a series of documentaries focusing on humankind’s impact on the environment and wildlife, and what individuals and communities can do to solve global problems.