Spielberg to make WTC docu-series

Steven Spielberg

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg is to produce a documentary TV series focusing on the rebuilding of New York's World Trade Centre.

Spielberg, who has produced popular TV series such as Band of Brothers, will make the series for the Science Channel and will use 3D, time-lapse cameras as well as computer modelling techniques and other methods to chart the construction of One World Trade Center, formerly known as the Freedom Tower.

The show, currently called Rebuilding Ground Zero, will chart the design, engineering and building of the skyscraper at Ground Zero, the site where the World Trade Centre's Twin Towers once stood. It will also examine the partnership of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, politicians and various construction crews and engineers in putting the pieces together for a project of such a large magnitude as well as honouring those who died in the 9/11 attacks.

'Story of remembrance and renewal'

New York major Michael Bloomberg said the series would tell "a compelling story of remembrance and renewal" and that Spielberg's involvement as executive producer would ensure "the story will be brought to life for people around the world for generations to come".

The six-part series is slated to air on Discovery's Science Channel in 2011, two years before the site's Freedom Tower is expected to be completed. Architect Danny Foster will star in the project, which will be directed by Jonathan Hock.

"Given the significance of the project, the emotion that is tied to the site and the impact that the massive redevelopment will have on the city for years to come, the public needs to understand all that is going on behind the fence," said Port Authority exec director Chris Ward.

The One World Trade Centre has been a long-delayed project. Back when it was called The Freedom Tower, various political and financial issues meant that the tower might not have been completed till 2018.

When finished, the skyscraper will be the tallest building in the US standing 1,776ft (541 meter) high.

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