Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have picked up an Oscar, a BAFTA, and an Emmy for “Free Solo,” their doc about Alex Honnold’s quest to become the first person to free solo climb El Capitan. Vasarhelyi and Chin are showing no signs of slowing down. According to Deadline, the collaborators and spouses have signed a first-look deal with National Geographic.
Per the pact, Vasarhelyi and Chin will develop unscripted series and specials for Nat Geo via their production company, Little Monster Films. This is the duo’s first venture outside feature documentaries, the source confirms — although Vasarhelyi has helmed episodes of docuseries “Enhanced” and “Abstract: The Art of Design” independently.
Nat Geo has already commissioned the directors’ next feature documentary with plans to release it through National Geographic Documentary Films. No word on the film’s subject yet.
As part of the deal, Vasarhelyi and Chin have brought on former Cinetic Media exec Anna Barnes as Vice President of development and production at Little Monster. She will handle the growth of the company and collaborate with Vasarhelyi and Chin “in identifying, developing, and producing new projects.”
“Free Solo” was Nat Geo’s “most-viewed unscripted special ever.” It also spent 31 weeks in theaters and earned $17.5 million at the domestic box office.
“Chai and Jimmy are extraordinary filmmakers and tremendous partners, and we are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with them,” said Courteney Monroe, President of National Geographic Global Television Networks. “The success of ‘Free Solo’ surpassed even our wildest expectations, and we cannot wait to embark on this exciting new chapter with the incredibly talented team behind it.”
“National Geographic offered unconditional support and enthusiasm for ‘Free Solo’ from day one, and we truly could not have asked for better partners,” Vasarhelyi and Chin stated. “We are excited to have an outlet to grow our production company’s work in television, expanding the stories we are able to tell, as well as a partner for our next feature doc.”
Vasarhelyi’s solo directorial efforts include feature docs “Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love,” “Touba,” and “Incorruptible.” Together, she and Chin previously helmed “Meru,” an award-winning doc about climbers taking on Mount Meru.
“I think the best piece of advice I received that I would like to share with other female directors is that among the most nurturing things I can provide for my daughter is to help her one day find what she’s best at,” Vasarhelyi told Women and Hollywood. “The way to do that is to let her see me pursue my dreams and ultimately excel in what I’m best at.”
