Leonardo DiCaprio to Produce Post-Apocalyptic YA Adaptation ‘The Sandcastle Empire’ (Exclusive)

Paramount is jumping into the YA post-apocalypse fray, picking up The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson.

Leonardo DiCaprio and his partner at Appian Way, Jennifer Davisson, are attached to produce the adaptation.

While some could argue that the post-apocalyptic scene may be played out to a certain extent, the book is said to lean heavily into environmental themes and it’s those themes that attracted DiCaprio to the manuscript.

The book is set in 2049 when the Earth is at a breaking point due to climate change, coastal flooding and overpopulation. A radical faction known as the Wolfpack overthrows the government and takes control.

The story centers on a young woman named Eden who escapes a Wolfpack labor camp, joining three other girls fleeing to an island. During her journey, she will find clues as to what happened to her missing father and find out that she is the key to bringing down the Wolfpack.

Appian’s Nathaniel Posey identified the book and brought it into the company.

Publishing details were not revealed.

Olson is repped by the lit firm of Waxman Leavell. UTA repped Olson in the movie rights deal.

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