Netflix is set to produce a new documentary about Boeing's recent troubles, aiming to shed light on the scandal-ridden and safety-plagued company and its repeated failures.
The new documentary, a follow-up to the 2022 film Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, will delve into the ongoing safety and ethical concerns surrounding Boeing's operations. Oscar-nominated Rory Kennedy and Imagine Documentaries have teamed up again to direct and produce the film.
The original Netflix documentary explored the tragic consequences of the 737 MAX crashes, highlighting the flaws in the aircraft's design and the corporate decisions that led to the disasters.
"I've never made two films about the same subject," Kennedy told Deadline about the yet-untitled documentary on Boeing's recent troubles.
"However, my ongoing concerns that Boeing has not learned any lessons from the tragic 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people, and the shock of John Barnett's suicide, compelled me to revisit the subject," Kennedy added.
The documentary will explore various aspects of Boeing's recent scandals, including the resignation of CEO Dave Calhoun amid the company's ongoing crisis and the public outcry from the families of the crash victims. No release date has been announced for the Downfall sequel.
The new documentary comes at a critical time for Boeing, as the company continues to grapple with the fallout from the 737 MAX disasters and other safety concerns, most notably the midair blowout that left a hole in the side of Alaska Flight 1282 as it lifted off from Portland in January.
Directly related to the 2018 and 2019 deaths from the two 737 MAX crashes, Boeing agreed on July 7 to plead guilty to one count of defrauding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials after accepting what one of the victims' lawyers called a "sweetheart deal" with the federal government.
The deal includes a $244 million fine, three years of probation, and the appointment of a corporate monitor to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Several families of the 737 MAX crashes victims have publicly opposed the deal and plan to appeal.
"When we saw the overwhelming response from audiences, we knew that the terrifying news we continue to hear about was worth exploring further to help bring to light the stories of those who continue to be silenced," said Sara Bernstein, President of Imagine Documentaries.
The new film is expected to give a voice to these families
The first documentary, Downfall, debuted at the virtual Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2022, and launched on Netflix on February 18 of that year to strong viewership.
The documentary featured John Barnett, a former Boeing quality manager and whistleblower, who tragically died by suicide in May after a period of serious personal distress related to a lawsuit with the aerospace giant.
Kennedy highlighted his death as a significant factor in her decision to create a sequel. She's also working on a film about Alec Baldwin and the fatal 2021 shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin's trial is currently underway in New Mexico. The 30 Rock star could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He has pled not guilty to his charge. On Monday, the judge ruled in favor of the defense that Baldwin's secondary role as a producer on the film is not relevant in this trial.
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