Netflix, Leonardo DiCaprio Team On Doc Film

Netflix will team with actor/producer Leonardo DiCaprio on an original documentary film, Virunga, debuting on Netflix in November.

DiCaprio will serve as an executive producer on the film, which follows a team of park rangers and the endangered mountain gorillas they protect, said the OTT service. The film will premiere Nov. 7 on Netflix as well as theaters in New York and Los Angeles.

“Leo intuitively understands that there is nothing like the power of film to reach people’s hearts and minds,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos in a statement. “With Virunga we’ll work with Leo to introduce viewers around the world to an incredible, gripping story that will have audiences guessing right up until the final act.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.