Paramount and DiCaprio to Produce VW Dieselgate Film
Paramount Pictures and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way have optioned film rights to an upcoming book on Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal, with the project in early development.
Paramount Pictures and Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way have secured the film rights to a forthcoming book on the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, aiming to bring the story of Dieselgate to the big screen. The deal was announced in October 2015, with the project based on a book to be written by New York Times journalist Jack Ewing.
Ewing’s book, which had not yet been titled or published at the time, is set to examine the origins and fallout of Volkswagen’s use of illegal software to cheat US emissions tests. The story broke in September 2015, when the US Environmental Protection Agency revealed Volkswagen had fitted defeat devices to diesel vehicles, allowing them to pass regulatory tests while emitting far more pollutants in real-world driving. Volkswagen later admitted the software was present in 11 million vehicles worldwide, spanning core brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda and SEAT.
Hollywood adapts real-world emissions scandal
The film project was in its earliest stages in autumn 2015. No director or cast had been attached, and the script would depend on the completion of Ewing’s book. DiCaprio, who has a record of producing environmental documentaries and is known for his activism, was named as a producer but was not expected to appear on screen. Paramount and Appian Way moved quickly to option the rights, reflecting the widespread impact and notoriety of the Dieselgate scandal.
The book is expected to explore the corporate pressures and decision-making that led to the emissions cheating, as well as the consequences for Volkswagen’s global reputation and leadership. Former CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned in September 2015, maintaining he had no prior knowledge of the illegal software. The scandal prompted regulatory investigations, lawsuits and a major shake-up within the company.
No release date or further details yet
With the project dependent on the book’s completion and no creative team in place, there was no timeline for production or release at the time of the announcement. The adaptation joins a growing list of films tackling high-profile corporate scandals, but details beyond the initial rights deal remained limited in 2015.
