# Appian Way Productions
**Appian Way Productions** is a Los Angeles-based film and television production company founded by actor [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://www.edgepedia.org/leonardo-dicaprio). Jennifer Davisson serves as president of production and runs the company with DiCaprio.[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) • [2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/leonardo-dicaprio-jennifer-davisson-appian-way-productions-72068/) Its slate includes several films directed by Martin Scorsese and [Alejandro González Iñárritu](https://www.edgepedia.org/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu) starring DiCaprio, and it has built a substantial documentary output focused in part on environmental issues.[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type and base | Los Angeles-based film and television production company[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) |
| Founder | Leonardo DiCaprio; Jennifer Davisson is president of production[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) |
| Notable films | The Revenant, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Aviator, Shutter Island, The Ides of March, Orphan, Live by Night[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) |
| Awards on its slate | The Revenant won three Academy Awards and Golden Globes; The Aviator was Oscar-nominated and a Golden Globe winner[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) |
| Studio deals | Three-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures signed March 30, 2016[3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1441683/000119312517184928/d363139d424b4.htm) |
| Television | The Right Stuff, a limited series on Disney+ from National Geographic, tracking the Mercury Seven astronauts[2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/leonardo-dicaprio-jennifer-davisson-appian-way-productions-72068/) |
| Documentary focus | Environmental documentaries and a pipeline of projects including Death Boom and Monolith[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) • [4](https://innercirclefilms.com/how-leonardo-dicaprio-turned-appian-way-into-a-documentary-powerhouse/) |
## Feature films
The company's released slate centers on prestige dramas, many starring its founder. It produced Alejandro González Iñárritu's *The Revenant*, a three-time Academy Award and Golden Globe winner; Martin Scorsese's *The Wolf of Wall Street*, nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globes; and Scorsese's *The Aviator*, which was nominated for Academy Awards and won Golden Globes.[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) Other credits include *Shutter Island*, Scott Cooper's *Out of the Furnace*, George Clooney's Golden Globe-nominated *The Ides of March*, the psychological thriller *Orphan*, and the adaptation of [Dennis Lehane](https://www.edgepedia.org/dennis-lehane)'s novel *Live by Night* with [Ben Affleck](https://www.edgepedia.org/ben-affleck).[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) A 2016 trade report also lists *Public Enemies* among the company's produced films.[3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1441683/000119312517184928/d363139d424b4.htm)
**Studio relationships.** In March 2016, DiCaprio and [Paramount Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount-pictures) chairman [Brad Grey](https://www.edgepedia.org/brad-grey) finalized a three-year, first-look production deal between Paramount and [Appian Way](https://www.edgepedia.org/appian-way), effective immediately. At that time the company had four projects in development with the studio, including *The Devil in the White City*, based on Erik Larson's book, and *Sandcastle Empire*, along with a yet untitled film and a limited television series.[3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1441683/000119312517184928/d363139d424b4.htm) The same report noted the company was in post-production on *Live by Night* (2017) and in pre-production on *Robin Hood: Origins* (2017).[3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1441683/000119312517184928/d363139d424b4.htm)
## Television
Appian Way's television work includes *The Right Stuff*, a limited series based on [Tom Wolfe](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-wolfe)'s book, which had previously been adapted as a 1983 film. The series premiered on Disney+ and tracks the [Mercury Seven](https://www.edgepedia.org/mercury-seven), the group of astronauts thrust into the spotlight during the United States' Cold War-era space race with the Soviet Union; it was produced for [National Geographic](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-geographic).[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) • [2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/leonardo-dicaprio-jennifer-davisson-appian-way-productions-72068/)
## Documentaries
The company has directed particular effort toward documentary filmmaking, especially on subjects related to progressive environmental change.[1](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf) Industry coverage describes Appian Way as having built one of the most active documentary pipelines in Hollywood, moving from project-by-project attachment toward sustained pipeline ownership. Projects reported in development or production include a behind-the-scenes feature on the making of *The Wizard of Oz*, *Death Boom*, an exposé of the death-care industry, and *Monolith*, a documentary exploring [Stanley Kubrick](https://www.edgepedia.org/stanley-kubrick)'s *2001: A Space Odyssey*. These sit alongside a broader film and television partnership with Apple.[4](https://innercirclefilms.com/how-leonardo-dicaprio-turned-appian-way-into-a-documentary-powerhouse/)
## Development slate
Industry tracking lists about 70 projects associated with the company, spanning development and pre-production. Titles in development include *A Tale of Two Cities*, set in Paris and London during the [French Revolution](https://www.edgepedia.org/french-revolution), produced with Spring Creek Productions and [Warner Bros. Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/warner-bros-pictures), and a new adaptation of *Akira*, with [Taika Waititi](https://www.edgepedia.org/taika-waititi) among the attached producers and writers.[5](https://www.movieinsider.com/browse/movies?company=336&order=title-asc)
## Namesakes
The name Appian Way is used by unrelated businesses. Appian [Corporation](https://www.edgepedia.org/corporation) is a process automation software company whose platform is used for procurement, case management, and finance workflows by large enterprises and government organizations,[6](https://appian.com/about/explore/overview) and Appian Way (appianway.co) is a digital transformation consulting firm whose clients have included Chanel, Ellipz, and KLM.[7](https://www.appianway.co/our-work) Neither is connected to DiCaprio's production company.
## References
1. [About Appian Way, press release](https://www.detpress.com/storage/uploads/9B/61/9B611285-6724-EFC2-65A8-5314BB3CC150/press-release-31-1347666.pdf)
2. [Here's the Kind of Work Leonardo DiCaprio's Production Co. Wants in 2021, Backstage](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/leonardo-dicaprio-jennifer-davisson-appian-way-productions-72068/)
3. [Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Signs 3-Year Deal With Paramount, TheWrap](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1441683/000119312517184928/d363139d424b4.htm)
4. [How Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Appian Way Into a Documentary Powerhouse, Inner Circle Entertainment](https://innercirclefilms.com/how-leonardo-dicaprio-turned-appian-way-into-a-documentary-powerhouse/)
5. [Appian Way Productions Movies – A–Z, MovieInsider](https://www.movieinsider.com/browse/movies?company=336&order=title-asc)
6. [About Appian, Enterprise AI Automation Platform](https://appian.com/about/explore/overview)
7. [Our Work — Appian Way (consulting firm)](https://www.appianway.co/our-work)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen production organizations › Production companies and industry people › Independent production companies › American and Canadian companies*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license