Paramount Pictures and Appian Way are in negotiations to acquire screen rights to the Beth Macy book “Truevine: Two Brothers, A Kidnapping, and a Mother’s Quest; A True Story of the Jim Crow South” as a potential starring vehicle for Leonardo DiCaprio.

DiCaprio will produce with his Appian Way partner, Jennifer Davisson.

Set in Truevine, VA in 1899, the book is based on the true story of two African-American brothers who were kidnapped by a white man and displayed as circus freaks, while their mother endured a 28-year struggle to get them back.

No screenwriter is attached.

Since signing Appian Way to a first look deal in March, the studio has been working hard to find projects to develop for the Oscar-winning actor and his banner. Paramount recently landed the rights to a “Captain Planet” pic which DiCaprio would produce and Glen Powell would pen.

The studio is also currently developing an adaptation of “Devil in the White City” with DiCaprio attached to star, Martin Scorsese on board to direct, and Billy Ray writing.

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DiCaprio is repped by LBI Entertainment. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.

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