Angelina Jolie’s The One and Only Ivan to premiere August 21 on Disney+ instead of theaters amid COVID-19
Disney announced Friday that their live-action/CG hybrid movie The One and Only Ivan will start streaming August 21 on Disney+ instead of the planned August 14 theatrical release due to COVID-19.
Oscar winner Angelina Jolie produces and stars as senior elephant Stella, who helps silverback gorilla Ivan (Sam Rockwell/Ben Bishop) hatch a plan to escape captivity in the Big Top Mall.
Director Thea Sharrock (Me Before You) helmed screenwriter Mike White’s (Pitch Perfect 3) adaption of author Katherine Applegate’s 2012 Newbery Medal-winning children’s book.
Due to COVID-19: Disney announced Friday that their live-action/CG hybrid movie The One and Only Ivan will start streaming August 21 on Disney+ instead of the planned August 14 theatrical release
Leads: Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (L) produces and stars as senior elephant Stella, who helps silverback gorilla Ivan (R, Sam Rockwell) hatch a plan to escape captivity in the Big Top Mall
‘The world has changed in a heartbeat. People all over the globe have shared important, life changing experiences in ways we have not seen for a century,’ Sharrock said in a statement to Deadline.
‘In response to this, I am so happy that we can share Katherine Applegate’s delightful and original story, The One and Only Ivan with the world this August on Disney+, bringing some joy through this unique movie of true friendship, inspired by a true story.’
The One and Only Ivan also features Helen Mirren, Danny DeVito, Bryan Cranston, Phillipa Soo, Ramón Rodríguez, Brooklynn Prince, and Ariana Greenblatt.
Applegate was inspired by the real-life Ivan, a captured West African gorilla who spent 1967-1994 in captivity at The World Famous B&I Circus Store in Tacoma, WA.
‘The world has changed in a heartbeat’: Director Thea Sharrock (L) helmed screenwriter Mike White’s adaption of Katherine Applegate’s 2012 Newbery Medal-winning children’s book
Tearjerker: Applegate was inspired by the real-life Ivan, a captured West African gorilla who spent 1967-1994 in captivity at The World Famous B&I Circus Store in Tacoma before being adopted by Zoo Atlanta where he spent 1995-2012 until his death at age 50
RIP: In 2016, a life-sized 600-pound bronze sculpture of Ivan designed by Douglas Granum in his memory was unveiled at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma
After passionate protests and an offer to live at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, Ivan was eventually adopted by Zoo Atlanta where he spent 1995-2012 until his death at age 50.
In 2016, a life-sized 600-pound bronze sculpture of Ivan designed by Douglas Granum in his memory was unveiled at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma.
The One and Only Ivan was the third movie to be pulled from theaters due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed 114K American lives, after Artemis Fowl and Hamilton.
Claimed 114K American lives: The One and Only Ivan was the third movie to be pulled from theaters due to the coronavirus pandemic after Artemis Fowl and Hamilton