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Hardy, Maguire and DiCaprio Producing an Animal Trafficking Drama

by Ethan Anderton
August 27, 2012
Source: THR

That's right. Howard Hughes, Spider-Man and Bane are teaming up for one movie. No it's not the worst crossover film you've ever heard of, but rather a collaboration three actors coming together as producers to craft a film with a compelling story and a cause. THR has word that Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Tom Hardy are teaming up to produce an animal trafficking drama, in the same vein as Steven Soderbergh's Traffic, that takes a dramatic from look at everything from the ground war on poachers in the African savanna to how animal material ends up in the fancy fashion houses of Paris. More below!

DiCaprio and Maguire have been friends for awhile, each with strong animal rights opinions. As for Hardy, aside from working with DiCaprio on Inception, he came up with the idea after hearing stories from friends who were Special Forces operatives, but became anti-poaching fighters in South Africa and elsewhere around the world. At this time the trio is only producing the film, but they could end up starring as well. With this kind of star power backing the film, a stellar cast and budget could likely be assembled to craft another Oscar worthy drama just like Traffic. If anything, it'll be nice to have a project with a focus on animal rights and abuse that doesn't involve that sad Sarah McLachlan commercial. Thoughts?

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Sleider/1847907840 Brian Sleider

This sounds good. I am not the biggest guy on animal rights but I am a HUGE proponent of conservation. Poaching rare animals is sickening to me.
- Why?
  
  You can't cherry pick, you either care about all life or you don't.
  - Cody W
    
    Sooo youve never stepped on a plant or squashed a bug I take it, thats easily one of the most ridiculous comments ive ever read on here.
    - Why?
      
      Respect for all life is a universal truth and the basis of most known religions. I fail to see how that's a ridiculous comment. To answer your question, sure I may have destroyed many life forms by just living and breathing, but not knowingly, for had I known I would've done everything in my power to stop it... everything short of killing myself, which is where I know your going to go with this. All things deserve to live, but I know there is a cycle and my love for animals and my vow to not eat them is my small, but personal victory to help overcome animal cruelty. Yes, I am a vegan and devout animal lover and before you make the argument that plants have feelings too, I realize that and am willing to pay the price, but I will not add to the already gross lack of respect for animals on this planet...except dogs we love our dogs. Look I don't want this to go where it shouldn't, this is just something I feel really strong about and I am sorry if my comment came off pompous or tree huggy.
      - http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Sleider/1847907840 Brian Sleider
        
        I fully agree with respect for all animals, the deer whose meat sustains me with its life, if not for the sacrifice he made I could not live. And unless you are full on 100% vegan you can't really say much.
      - Cody W
        
        Its simple basic food chain, I respect your belief in all that jazz, but those things are there for a reason, just like one day maybe another superior species will rise and will be the sustaining food for them. Its not a coincidence that a cows meat has most of the protein the human body needs, or that a bears hide is one of the warmest materials you can wrap around your body, its simply meant to be.
      - dom
        
        You do know humans can survive without these right? Its because its packaged so well in your supermarket that you take away all the conscious knowledge of what it is you are eating and how it got to your plate. Its the biggest issue and the hardest to tackle.
      - Why?
        
        Agreed!
      - Why?
        
        So you recognize what we do to animals and except it as a way of life? At least have the decency to not allow a lowly minimum wage Smithfield employee to do your dirty work and go to the concentration camps (factory farms) and do it yourself. Your lack of understanding and blatant indifference is overwhelmingly disturbing.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Sleider/1847907840 Brian Sleider
    
    Hunting a deer or other such game animal for meat and leather is not the as killing a rare tiger for some fancy shoes or an elephant to make ivory tiles for decoration. Not even close.
    - http://www.facebook.com/brianriccimoviereview Brian Ricci Movie Review
      
      People hunt for leather?
http://www.quanahblogs.com/ Quanah

IF they starred in it I would be there opening day. Sounds amazing.
- Why?
  
  try to be there anyway...it's a good cause.
racquetman

Great to see a film is being made about this disgusting industry. Cancel all the comic book crap and give me 10 more movies like this.
rocky728

I applaud these guys for this. I will definitely plunk my money down for this and this cause. I'm a big animal rights and conservation supporter. I lay a big part of the blame on the consumers of such products. The rich for wanting something rare at the expense of endangered animals and the naive that think some of these by-products enhance their health or libido.
SuicidalOptimist

Sounds like a great idea for a really good cause. While I wouldn't ever put an animal above a human being (unless it's kitten vs. baby rapist =P), I'm a big advocate for animal rights. Poaching those beautiful, already highly endangered species is just terrible. I hope I won't have to tell my kid in 10 years that those gorgeous tigers he saw in the zoo are extinct in the wild.
Cody W

Id rather those 3 star in any movie, sounds like such a good trio.....label me interested.
Reznik

I understand the instinct to throw in the possibility of it being Oscar material, but that is the last thing I want to think of when talking about this subject. The best a film like this could do is make more people aware, and perhaps really care more.
http://www.facebook.com/matt.peloquin.14 Matt Peloquin

I'm not a big animal rights activist, but I think this sounds like a good story to tell that hasn't been told before. I wonder if they'll ironically use live animals during filming.
dom

After the news of 700 dogs being rescued on their way to Vietnam for slaughter, this comes as GREAT news! The animals on this planet are being so exploited and there's no voice for them! Great to see heavy weights using their profession and passion to move people to think differently. Profit should go to those fighting to save them!