Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way is the latest big-name entity to team up with Netflix for film distribution. They are looking to release Orlando von Einsiedel’s documentary Virunga, an investigative journalism project following the gorilla population in the African Congo and the brave individuals putting themselves at risk to save them in the middle of an ongoing civil war.
The film will simultaneously premiere on Netflix and in a limited New York-Los Angeles theater release on November 7, according to an exclusive from Deadline.
DiCaprio will act as executive producer for the film, which will be the second animal-centric documentary currently in development for Appian Way after the Yellowstone-based American Wolf. According to DiCaprio,
Films like Virunga are powerful stories that are a window into the incredible cultural and natural diversity of our world, the forces that are threatening to destroy it, and the people who are fighting to protect it. Partnering with Netflix on this film is an exciting opportunity to inform and inspire individuals to engage on this topic.
This deal could prove to be mutually beneficial for the two organizations. DiCaprio will continue to be a leader in promoting environmental issues and animal rights, while Netflix, coming off of two original film development deals, will show its strength with this high-profile partnership.
Meanwhile, Appian Way will be releasing two thrillers in the upcoming year, Home, starring Topher Grace (Take Me Home Tonight) and Under the Bed, a stalker film based on true events.
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