Leonardo Dicaprio has signed a multi-year partnership with Netflix to produce further environmental films following the Oscar-nominated success of wildlife documentary Virunga.

Leonardo DiCaprioLeonardo DiCaprio has signed a partnership with Netflix to produce futher enviromental documentaries

"Working with Netflix on Virunga has sparked a shared vision about projects that we want to develop and bring to viewers," DiCaprio said in a statement. "There's never been a more critical time for our planet or more of a need for gifted storytellers to help us all make sense of the issues we face. Through this partnership with Netflix, I hope to give documentary filmmakers doing urgent and important work the chance to have their films seen immediately by audiences all around the world."

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DiCaprio has devoted a huge amount of time and energy into environmental conservation and addressed the UN Climate Change summit as well as having a role with the organisation. Through his foundation, the Oscar-nominated actor has donated millions to protect endangered species and safeguarding rainforests.

The partnership is another major coup for Netflix, who released the third season of its flagship drama House of Cards this week. The company recently spent $17 million on the Jamie Dornan war film Jadotville and $12 million on the Oscar-tipped drama Beasts of No Nation with Idris Elba. 

Netflix's Virunga focuses on the conservation work of rangers within Virunga National Park and the activity of a British company, Soco International, which began exploring for oil within the UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. The film was produced through DiCaprio's Appian Way production company. 

Last week it was announced that DiCaprio will play a man with 24 different personalities in The Crowded Room. 

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