Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and respected environmental activist Jane Goodall will produce a live-action film about the survival journey of a dog and a young wolf, which will be told from the animals’ point of view. By deadline, the project – titled To yell – has just entered production. It should be released in 2026.
Howl hails from Promethean Pictures, a new label formed by Richard Johns (The Shepherd) and Christopher Monger (Temple Grandin). According to Deadline, Howl will not be an environmental film, although it aims to give viewers a whole new “view of the natural world.” Shadow of the Vampire filmmaker E. Elias Merhige will direct the feature, while Monger will pen the screenplay.
What is Howl talking about?
The animal film is set to follow family dog Harry and his adventures against the harsh winter after his owners die in an accident, leaving him alone at home. It will venture out of its owner’s home to survive. On his way, he will come into contact with a wolf, with whom he will share the same “fear and suspicion”. As they both embark on a journey towards survival, they will soon form a close bond.
Although the film will be led by animals, it is revealed that there will also be human characters, with Andrew Simpson from Game of Thrones and The Revenant serving as Howl’s dog trainer and wolf whisperer. Howl’s casting has not yet been announced.
A renowned primatologist and anthropologist, Goodall has always been fascinated by wolves. With Howl, she hopes to change people’s views on the large canine.
“Howl will not only be an enjoyable and entertaining experience, but will also help change perceptions of the ‘big bad wolf,’ which has been hunted to extinction in many parts of the world and is threatened and endangered in many others,” she said in a statement (via Deadline). “I hope we can make people understand their need to live alongside us and show these sacred creatures for what they are.”
