Director Peter Jackson Joins the Mission to Bring Back the Extinct Giant Moa with Colossal Biosciences — GeekTyrant
In a groundbreaking partnership, the Lord of the Rings filmmaker has teamed up with Colossal Biosciences and New Zealand's Ngāi Tahu Research Centre to resurrect the South Island Giant Moa, a massive flightless bird that once roamed New Zealand's forests and grasslands before vanishing over 600 years ago.
Joining Jackson on this wild scientific journey are Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm and Ngāi Tahu archaeologist Kyle Davis, who talked about how this unique collaboration came together, and what it means for science, culture, and the future of extinct species.
Jackson, whose passion for prehistoric creatures dates back to childhood dreams of resurrecting dinosaurs, shared that his involvement began through filmmaker Michael Dougherty ( Godzilla: King of the Monsters ), who connected him with Lamm after making a documentary for Colossal. Jackson said:
'I did a Zoom call, met Ben, and I was disappointed in a way. Because I had a look at their website beforehand, and they were talking about bringing the Mammoth, the Dodo, and the Tasmanian Tiger [back], but there was no sign of the Moa. As soon as I got on the call with them, I said, 'Why not the Moa?''
Lamm, for his part, was thrilled to have Jackson (and Fran Walsh) on board, not just as supporters, but as key collaborators.
'Having someone like Peter involved, and Fran is amazing. Not only are they great investors and very thoughtful business people, but they also help us think through all these things. They've been incredible [and opened] up their homes to us.'
Jackson and Walsh's personal bone collection turned out to be a crucial asset for Colossal's genetic reconstruction work. That led to connecting the company with the right people, including archaeologist Kyle Davis, who has deep cultural and scientific ties to the moa's legacy. Davis said:
'It's just one of those iconic lost species or lost environmental entities that captures the imagination. As a career archaeologist and environmentalist, the prospect of understanding those dynamics more to add to our own tribal story is very, very exciting.'
Despite his deep involvement, Jackson isn't planning to direct a documentary on the moa project. For him, it's a passion project separate from his filmmaking life.
As for what's next in Middle-earth, Jackson gave a quick update:
'The Hunt for Gollum, which is a Lord of the Rings-connected movie that Andy Serkis, who played Gollum, will direct. But we're working on the script and producing it. So that's something for next year. Yeah.'
Resurrecting the giant moa may sound like something out of Jurassic Park, but this isn't fiction, it's real science, real collaboration, and a real chance to restore a lost part of the planet's ecosystem.
More details you can watch the videos below from CBM.
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