Variety | Meryl Streep to Narrate Conservation Doc ‘Escape From Extinction Rewilding’ (EXCLUSIVE)

July 30, 2024

By Diego Ramos Bechara

Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep will lend her voice to narrate the sequel to the 2020 award-winning documentary “Escape from Extinction.”

Directed and produced by Matthew Brady through MRB Productions, the film will explore how “rewilding” — a conservation approach that aims to restore natural processes and increase biodiversity by reducing human influence on ecosystems — will ensure that conservation efforts are effective and sustainable.

“This documentary, featuring the powerful narration of Meryl Streep, not only brings the significance of rewilding to light but also highlights that you can’t protect what you don’t love, and you can’t love what you don’t know,” Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane and executive producer of the film, said. “At American Humane, we are profoundly thankful to Meryl for lending her voice to this critical story of survival, inspiring countless others to become advocates for animal welfare.”

Besides her numerous accolades, which, in addition to her Academy Award nods, boast 32 Golden Globe nominations and eight wins, Streep is also a committed advocate for protecting endangered species.

In the past, the actor has participated in campaigns to save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and has supported organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Streep also teamed with New Jersey lawmakers to rally behind elephants, advocating for legislation to ban the sale, purchase or possession of ivory and rhinoceros horn.

“By narrating ‘Escape from Extinction Rewilding,’ Streep continues her long-standing support for initiatives that address the urgent need for biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species,” a statement read.

This film is a sequel to the award-winning doc narrated by Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award winner Helen Mirren. It was feted with the 2020 Doc LA award for Best Environmental Film, and Mirren won the Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award for her narration work.

“Escape from Extinction Rewilding” will be released in theaters nationwide on Sept. 27, 2024. Watch the trailer here: