New Documentary in Development on ‘The Twilight Zone’ Creator Rod Serling

Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way, is set to produce an authorized biographical documentary about The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, according to a report from Indiewire.

The currently untitled documentary will be directed by Jonah Tulis, the filmmaker behind GameStop: Rise of the Players. Serling’s daughters, Jodi and Anne Serling, have given their full support to the project and are joining as executive producers.

The documentary will delve into Serling’s profound impact on television, tracing his journey from humble beginnings to his groundbreaking work in the industry. The film will explore how Serling used his platform to tackle pressing social issues such as racism, war, the dangers of technology, and morality. It will highlight his battles with censors and his ability to challenge societal norms through the genre-defying, thought-provoking narratives of The Twilight Zone.

With a wealth of archival footage, the documentary aims to capture Serling’s voice and bring his multifaceted legacy to life. Known for his powerful writing, Serling’s work as a creator, writer, narrator, and political activist will be examined in depth, offering a nuanced portrait of the man behind one of the most influential television series of all time.

“We’re thrilled to explore the life of such a visionary who understood the power of storytelling to challenge societal norms,” said Jennifer Davisson, president of Appian Way, in a statement to Indiewire. “With an extensive collection of archival material, we hope to reveal the essence of a man who used The Twilight Zone to drive social and political change.”

Chad A. Verdi, who is also producing the film, expressed his excitement about the project: “We’re excited to collaborate with Appian Way and provide an inside look at Rod Serling’s story, with personal narratives and never-before-seen footage. This documentary is just the first of several projects we plan to produce with this team.”

The film will be produced by Appian Way, Goodlight, Grub Street Films, and Verdi Productions, with DiCaprio, Verdi, Davisson, Phillip Watson, Taylor DiGilio, Blake J. Harris, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, and Tulis serving as producers.