It was only a matter of time before every studio in Hollywood was jumping on the documentary bandwagon to ride on the Warner Bros. Independent's wave of joy that was March of the Penguins. I'm kind of surprised it took them this long. Maybe they decided to wait a couple of months instead of weeks in hopes no one would notice their utter lack of originality. Sorry guys, we're not that dumb. Or are we....?
Back in November Paramount Classics (Paramount's indy counterpart to WB Independent), in a combined effort with National Geographic, announced their plan to distribute Call of the North, a documentary about a polar bear and a walrus whose paths intertwine in their Arctic homeland. Sounds perfect for the kiddos, no? Personally I'd rather see one about a polar bear and a documentary filmmaker whose paths intertwine, but I don't think that would go over well with parents.
Now Empire Online is touting that the companies will be releasing a French Arctic documentary entitled The White Planet. It's likely Call of the North under a new and improved title, although Empire refers to penguins in this one (probably an error given that the penguins prefer the Antarctic, not the Arctic).
Regardless of which pole you're at, it's still a wintery documentary and shows a shameless lack of originality on Paramount's part. Given the way Americans feel about originality, it will no doubt be the smash hit of the summer.
