Leonardo DiCaprio is set to produce a film about the Volkswagen clean diesel scandal.

Paramount Pictures and DiCaprio's production company Appian Way have bought the rights for the forthcoming book about the scandal, which will be written by New York Times journalist Jack Ewing, according to Variety. Once the book is written by Ewing, it will then be made into a film.

The book proposal's publishing rights were sold for mid-six figures to Norton, while Paramount Pictures' Liz Raposo purchased the movie rights. Shari Smiley of Gotham Group represented Jack Ewing during the sale of the feature rights.

The 40-year-old actor is co-producing the movie alongside Jennifer Davisson, which details the scandal behind the car company's prior use of illegal software in their vehicles to beat emission tests. While these vehicles performed normally the emission control software shut off, which allowed for 40 times more pollution than the law permits.

This controversy has damaged the reputation of Volkswagen, who has seen their stock plummeting as of late, putting into question the future of the company. The scandal also resulted in the resignation of CEO Martin Winterkorn.

Due to their actions, the company is now stuck with $18 billion in fines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They have now recalled close to 500,000 cars in the U.S.

As of yet there is no word on prospective actors or directors attached to the film, or whether DiCaprio himself will star.

DiCaprio is known for his advocacy in environmental causes, as his own environmental foundation has donated $30 million in grants since its inception in 1998.

"The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles," the actor said, according to BBC.

The actor has previously produced the films "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Runner Runner" and "Out of the Furnace." He's also produced a few environmental documentaries, such as 2014's "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" and "Virunga."

DiCaprio can next be seen in Alejandro González Iñárritu's drama "The Revenant," which comes out Dec. 25.

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