MORGAN FREEMAN Talks ISLAND OF LEMURS : MADAGASCAR

In ISLAND OF LEMURS : MADAGASCAR Morgan Freeman narrates the incredible true story of nature’s greatest explorers—lemurs. Recently, Freeman sat down with members of the press to talk about the film, his narrating voice, and his bucket list. Check it out below.

Captured with IMAX® 3D cameras, the film takes audiences on a spectacular journey to the remote and wondrous world of Madagascar. Lemurs arrived in Madagascar as castaways millions of years ago and evolved into hundreds of diverse species but are now highly endangered. Join trailblazing scientist Dr. Patricia Wright on her lifelong mission to help these strange and adorable creatures survive in the modern world.

The lemur is brought in and crawls all over the talent.

MORGAN FREEMAN : Did you know they have four fingers and an opposable thumb?

What is it about these animals that endear them to you?

MORGAN FREEMAN : I don’t know lemurs. This is the first time I’ve had this close a connection with them. However, I have a friend who has a place in the Caribbean who raises them. On a visit to his place a year ago, maybe more, I was introduced to them up close and personal because they’re obviously in a little bit of trouble, and he’s doing what he can to help rejuvenate the population. So I got a little bit of history about them but not nearly what I got doing this narration. They’re terrific little creatures. [To Dr. Patricia Wright] What is the major problem the lemurs have? Is it habitat encroachment or are we eating them?

DR. PATRICIA WRIGHT : The deforestation and the slash and burn farming is a major problem and has been for a while. The village elders would say “Don’t eat the lemurs because they are so much like us.” But recently, people aren’t listening to the village elders and hunting has become a problem. The lemur indri gives birth only once every three years.

MORGAN FREEMAN : What are we doing? There was a book called “Ismael.” It’s a trilogy in which the author explains that we’re turning everything on this planet into food for humans. We’ll eat it and if we can’t eat it, we’ll kill it and take it’s place, and move it out of the way. The amazing thing about Madagascar is that there were no humans when the lemurs got there, so they flourished, and life does without us.

Johnny Depp introduced you at Cinemacon as God. When you were asked to do the narration for this, did you do the voice of God? Also, you’ve got a lot of films out and coming out. How do you do so many films?

MORGAN FREEMAN : It doesn’t take very long to do them. They say to me, “Would you mind doing this part in this movie? It’s only for a week.” If that were the case, I could do 52 (a year).

Did you use your your creator from on high voice?

MORGAN FREEMAN : No. I don’t know if that comes across to people. Wonderful! But no. I’m just a barefoot boy who made good.

You’ve worked with these gentlemen previously. Did you already have an interest in lemurs or was it a coincidence that they said they were going to make this movie about lemurs and we want you to narrate the film?

MORGAN FREEMAN : It’s just coincidental that we made this movie about lemurs in Madagascar and we would like to call upon you again to do the narration for us. We did very well with “Born to be Wild,” so if you are of a mind to do it, we’d be very happy to have you. It’s IMAX and Warner Bros, and all the people I like anyway, so I figured if we’re going to be doing something that might give some succor—a word that I would read but never say—but to give some attention and consideration to the other life forms on our planet. I’m happy to do it. It’s an obligation.

What’s on your bucket list?

MORGAN FREEMAN : I have a film company and I want to make a film that gets a best picture from somebody. You’ll do it? I love people who agree with me. [Laughs]

Do these stories get told lest you attach yourself to them? Is it the gravitas you bring in telling these stories since MARCH OF THE PENGUINS?

MORGAN FREEMAN : Yes and no. If I don’t do it someone else will. And I’m a little reticent to say, “Just as well.” But there are a lot of us who do this kind of work and do it quite well. Yeah, it comes out as well as it does because I do it, but it could come out just as well I someone else did it. Is that a good answer?

You’ve narrated many educational documentaries. What do you love about the art form of the documentary and the educational value of film and TV?

MORGAN FREEMAN : The educational value is what comes first. I’ve always thought the most effective tools we have for disseminating information, i.e. education, is television and film. People are glued to television. Our children, we can’t get them out into the park. So we need to find the right stuff to present to them since they’re going to be watching television. I’ve said I have this belief in disseminating useful information concerning the planet and the diverse biology of it. So I’ve just sort of dedicated myself to be available for anything that helps that along. The art of documentaries—I don’t know anything about it. But if somebody wants to do one about a subject that I’m interested in then, yeah, I’m available.

What is the process for you to do the narration? Do you watch the footage first?

MORGAN FREEMAN : The process. Get the script. Read the script. Generally, there is footage I get to see so we know what we’re talking about. And then it’s just a matter of sitting down in front of the microphone and reading. You know, I have these incredible pipes so it’s no big deal.

Since you’ve narrated so many nature films and scientific films, do you think if you weren’t acting, you could find yourself working in the science field?

MORGAN FREEMAN : I think you have to be left-brained to a certain extent to understand science. I can talk about it but I can’t do it. I was a B-student in math simply because my teachers liked me as an actor. It’s true. They said, “If you were really smart enough, you wouldn’t have made a B in my class so you get a B.” My math professor told me that. If I wasn’t doing this, I’d have no clue because I have no other talent.

You’ve never been to Madagascar?

MORGAN FREEMAN : No, I haven’t. There are so many places I haven’t been to.

What’s coming out next?

MORGAN FREEMAN : TRANSCENDENCE. I’ve got another movie coming up with Diane Keaton. It’s kind of a human interest/love story about an old couple and a weekend in their lives.

Is there a title?

MORGAN FREEMAN : Yes and no. I think the title is RUTH AND ALEX.

FOR MORE INFO : http://islandoflemurs.imax.com/

ISLAND OF LEMURS : MADAGASCAR IS PLAYING EXCLUSIVELY IN SELECT IMAX® AND IMAX 3D THEATRES NOW