Leonardo DiCaprio signs film deal with Netflix

Leonardo DiCaprio has signed a deal to produce environmental documentaries for Internet streaming service Netflix.

The outspoken environmentalist will help create the non-fiction projects as part of a multi-year deal with his production company Appian Way.

The actor says in a statement, "There's never been a more critical time for our planet or more of a need for gifted storytellers to help us all make sense of the issues we face.

"Through this partnership with Netflix, I hope to give documentary filmmakers doing urgent and important work the chance to have their films seen immediately by audiences all around the world."

DiCaprio previously partnered with Netflix for Oscar-nominated documentary Virunga, which shined a light on the conservation efforts of rangers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park.

Other stars to ink deals with Netflix include comedian Adam Sandler, who is to appear in four original films to be shown exclusively on the service..