Fisher Stevens to Direct Ozone Drama ‘Montreal Protocol’

Beckham’s director Fisherman Stevens He will direct the climate drama “The Montreal Protocol,” which follows the true story of powerless scientists who set out to repair the hole in the ozone layer and avoid a global environmental disaster.

Jess Kimball Leslie (“Kings of America”) is adapting the story, which is in development with Leonardo DiCaprio at Stevens’ production company, Highly Flammable. Appian Way (“The Right Stuff,” “The Revenant”) and New State Pictures and Curiosity Rights. RandomGood Films (“Beyond Utopia”) is financing development.

RandomGood, Highly Flammable and Appian most recently collaborated on “We Are Guardians.”

The movement to repair the hole in the ozone layer, which began in the early 1970s and has continued for more than 20 years, is considered one of the most successful environmental initiatives ever.

Dr. Atmospheric scientist discovered what caused the tear in the protective layer above the earth’s surface, paving the way to prevent the disaster. It was Susan Solomon’s research. When he was just 30 years old, Solomon and a team of US scientists traveled to Antarctica to collect crucial evidence proving that chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) chemicals were linked to ozone depletion. Without this protective layer, the planet would be exposed to dangerous levels of UV radiation, facing a potential catastrophe that could occur by 2065.

The outcome of Solomon’s trip to Antarctica – in which he and his team not only faced difficult conditions, but also risked their own reputation – led to a change in public opinion and, therefore, a change in the attitude of world leaders to the crisis. It eventually led to the establishment of the Montreal Protocol, which remains to this day the world’s only universally ratified global environmental agreement.

“A study of the successful collective effort among scientists, governments, corporations, press, and consumers around the world, the ‘Montreal Protocol’ is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the world unites to address a crisis,” he said. Stevens. “Our greatest hope lies in collaboration and courage as we seek to repair the damage done to our planet today before it is too late. We solved the problem before, we can do it again!”

Stevens, who directed “Palmer,” The Lincoln Project” and the Emmy-winning “Beckham,” among other projects, will also executive produce “The Montreal Project” with Highly Flammable partners Zak Kilberg and Maura Anderson. Phillip Watson, Jennifer Davisson and Leonardo DiCaprio are producing for Appian Way, alongside Ana Emdin for New State Pictures and JD Zacharias for Curiosity Rights. Christopher Gebhardt and Randy Gebhardt executive produce for RandomGood Films.

The highly flammable material is represented by WME and Gray Schwartz LLP. Fisher is repped by WME, Untitled and Danny Passman. Kimball Leslie is repped by WME, TFC and Yorn Levine.