Leonardo DiCaprio will produce a dystopian climate change film based on a YA novel

Leonardo DiCaprio has announced plans to produce a post-apocalyptic climate change film based on a book for young adults. The Sandcastle Empire novel by Kayla Olson will be imagined on the big screen as an unsettling warning against what feels like an inevitable, dystopian future.

According to The Guardian, the acclaimed actor secured the rights to the as yet unpublished book through Appian Way, his production company. The plot follows a young girl who revolts against the radical Wolfpack leaders in a vision of the year 2049 where climate change was ignored and society has collapsed. Themes from the successful Hunger Games franchise are hoped to draw in moviegoers, who will also take with them a powerful plea to take care of our planet while there’s still time.

Related: Leonardo DiCaprio named latest UN Messenger of Peace

After his involvement with the Netflix documentary Virunga, an anti-oil expansion call to action for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DiCaprio and Appian Way have already signed on to create even more environmentally themed films for the streaming platform. The star also executively produced an exclusive Netflix release of the factory farming takedown film Cowspiracy last year. Although there’s no sure bet the young adult novel will make it all the way to film production, having the backing of a loud and proud Hollywood environmentalist increases the odds. Maybe we will even see DiCaprio himself star in the final product.

Leonardo DiCaprio Raises $40 Mil, But Foundation Hasn’t Filed Itemized Report Since 2008

Big headlines: Leonardo DiCaprio’s private foundation raised $40 million for environmental causes ast night in St. Tropez. Lots of big stars were on hand, and the press is everywhere.

But LDF, as Leo calls it, hasn’t filed a public itemized report since 2008. That’s the year that DiCaprio moved his foundation under the California Community Fund, which files reports in general as a summary for all its funds.

LDF is not itemized, so there’s no way of knowing what’s happening. Transparency is zilch.

From 2000 to 2008, LDF was on its own and filed individual reports. By its last couple of years, DiCaprio was giving between $200,000 and $250,000 to mostly environmental groups. The directors of the foundation included his parents and ubiquitous Hollywood – Harvard liaison Jeffrey Sachs.

DiCaprio’s move into the CCF removed his foundation from any public scrutiny. This would be unlike Madonna, whose Ray of Light Foundation is often chronicled in this space, or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

Last week, DiCaprio announced that he was donating $15 million to 30 different organizations. But there’s absolutely no way of knowing what’s really going on, other than relying on press releases. And the press does a great job of that.

There’s no question that DiCaprio is committed to investing in the environment. His commitment stretches back to 1998, the year after he made real money– a reported $100 million — from “Titanic.” But it would seem a little less sketchy to have the details, just as with most other foundations.