That's a Wrap // Fossilist Update
Fossilist Wraps Principal Photography in Montana’s Badlands
After three years of filming across fossil-rich landscapes, our crew has officially wrapped principal photography on Fossilist! It feels surreal to finally write those words. The cameras are packed away, and we’ve now entered the exciting phase of full-time post-production—the last big push before you’ll finally get to watch the film.
The Final Road Trip
To close out the journey, our team hit the road one last time. We drove 12 hours north to Montana for our final shoot, landing in the rugged badlands outside of Jordan. This marked our twelfth and final state for the film, a fitting finale in a place where paleontology legends continue to shape the future of the field.
Filming with Icons
Our last scenes featured some of paleontology’s most recognizable names: Bob Bakker, Clayton Phipps, and Scott Foss. Earlier this month, we joined Pete Larson and Andre Lujan to visit Clayton at his ranch in the Hell Creek formation. The conversations that unfolded there weren’t just about fossils—they pointed toward a future of collaboration, dialogue, and respect in paleontology, rather than rivalry.
A Discovery to End On
Montana gave us more than just conversations. We witnessed multiple T. rex teeth being unearthed, and our crew even rolled up their sleeves to dig alongside some of the best in the business. Just as we thought the cameras were done rolling, Clayton called us over—he had spotted something. We scrambled back into filming mode just in time to capture him revealing a T. rex post orbital and a massive rooted tooth. To witness a discovery like that, in real time, after years of filming… it was the perfect ending.
Why This Matters
This final trip drove home how important Fossilist is going to be for paleontology. The film isn’t just about bones in the ground—it’s about the people, the passion, and the ongoing story of how we understand our prehistoric world. None of this would have been possible without your support.
What’s Next
We’ll be releasing a teaser poster soon, along with more behind-the-scenes content on social media. Be sure to follow us @FossilistFilm on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the latest.
If you’d like to help us bring this film across the finish line, consider donating today—your support helps ensure this story reaches as many people as possible.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for sticking with us through this adventure. We truly couldn’t have asked for a more powerful finale.
