Ashley Avis has been tapped to write and direct ‘American Wolf‘ for Apple Original Films.

The film is based on a novel by Nate Blakeslee. It chronicles the captivating true story of O-Six, a highly intelligent alpha female wolf, whose rise and tragic fall catapult the persecution of her species into the global spotlight. O-Six’s journey intertwines with that of a reclusive naturalist, a devoted activist and an intrepid biologist, who together risk everything to protect the fragile recovery of wolves of Yellowstone. The film is still in development and has not been greenlit, sources say.

Appian Way will produce the film with Blakeslee serving as consulting producer. Appian Way is overseen by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson.

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The film was formerly set up via Appian Way at Warners. After seeing Avis’ documentary, “Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West,” which examined the U.S. government’s treatment of wild horse populations, Appian Way brought Avis on board to write and direct and they sold “American Wolf’ as a pitch to Apple.

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“Wild Beauty” was nominated for a 2023 Critics Choice Nominee, and earned her a Special Congressional Commendation. Even before her new film was announced, Avis has become active in the protection of wolves against torture, cruelty and senseless killing. 

In addition to her advocacy work, Avis is also set to write and is set to direct the remake of “City of Angels” for Warner Bros, with Charles Roven and Paul Perez producing.  She most recently directed “The Lamb,” becoming the first Western woman to ever helm a film in Saudi Arabia, for MBC and Jeremy Bolt. Previously, Ashley wrote, directed and edited the reprisal of “Black Beauty,” starring Kate Winslet and Mackenzie Foy for Disney+. Avis and her husband and producing partner, Edward Winters co-founded Winterstone Pictures in Los Angeles.

Avis is repped by WME, Hopscotch Pictures and Yorn Levine. Blakeslee is repped by Hotchkiss Daiy & Associates. Appian Way is repped by LBI and Hanson Jacobson.

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