Great Pacific Media has signed Canadian director, writer and producer Brad Peyton to adapt the Webby Award-winning series What If into a drama docuseries.

Gander, N.L-born Peyton (San Andreas) will work with American physicist Michio Kaku to explore hypothetical scenarios in If: Imagine the Impossible – based on Toronto-based creative studio Underknown’s digital series.

There is no set timetable: Peyton will tackle the project shortly after finishing his current directing and production duties on the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi thriller Atlas.

Kaku, co-founder of string field theory, will serve as series narrator, on-screen expert and off-screen science consultant.

The factual branch of Thunderbird Entertainment Group announced last year that it had partnered with Underknown to present the TV series, which previously explored alternate realities such as what if you were swallowed by a whale or what if the world stopped spinning.

With 10 billion views on YouTube, What If  is the No. 1 science program on social media, according to online video measuring platform Tubular Labs, boasting more than 30 million worldwide followers. It won a 2020 Webby as the People’s Voice winner for Science and Education.

“The production, which will be centred on seemingly impossible questions, epic journeys and unbridled curiosity, is a true reflection of GPM, and our unwavering commitment to creating vibrant, fresh factual-entertainment series,” said David Way, GPM president (pictured), in a statement.