Why Leonardo DiCaprio has been sporting a long and scruffy beard lately, was finally revealed when two photos from his latest film The Revenant were released.

The Oscar nominated DiCaprio is starring in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s helmed The Revenant, a film based on the true story of frontiersman Hugh Glass, a man who was left for dead by a traitorous team member John Fitzgerald, played by Tom Hardy. Iñárritu has already had great success this year with his earlier film Birdman.

The Revenant 1

The Revenant 2

Synopsis: Deep in the uncharted American wilderness, trapper Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is severely injured and left for dead by a traitorous member of his team, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy).

With sheer will as his only weapon, Glass must navigate a hostile environment, a brutal winter, and warring Native American tribes in a relentless quest to survive and exact vengeance on Fitzgerald.

Based on a true story, The Revenant is directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman, Babel).

Release: December 25, 2015 (limited); January 8, 2016 (wide)

Photo Credits: Kimberley French