Scott Free Productions has partnered with Infinite Films and Calliope Pictures to create the documentary film The Vesuvius Challenge, which will be narrated by Guy Pearce.
Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions and Jim O’Shaughnessy’s Infinite Films developed the project in partnership with directors Daniel DiMauro and Morgan Pehme’s Calliope Pictures.
The film follows computer scientist Brent Seales and his team as they use advanced imaging and artificial intelligence to read ancient scrolls carbonized by the 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The scrolls form part of the only surviving library from ancient Rome.
Scientists recently announced in Naples that they can now unwrap and read damaged Herculaneum scrolls, including works by philosopher Philodemus of Gadara.
Executive producers include Ridley Scott, Jim O’Shaughnessy, Elyse Seder, Nick Tawil, Fredrik Stanton and Alex Petkas. Shirel Kozak serves as producer.