Leonardo DiCaprio had to choose between working with Paul Thomas Anderson on his defining film, Boogie Nights, and with James Cameron on his Oscar-winning hit, Titanic. Of course, DiCaprio went on to star in Cameron’s classic, which won 11 Oscars and made him one of the most bankable stars of his generation. Looking back, the actor does not regret the decision.
Leonardo DiCaprio is extremely grateful for his Titanic role
Leonardo DiCaprio recently spoke to Deadline, following his acclaimed collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson in One Battle After Another, a film many critics have called this year’s finest. But the 51-year-old had a chance of collaborating with PTA long back in Boogie Nights, a role he let go for Titanic.
Of course, the 1997 release became a global phenomenon. It won 11 Oscars and was the highest-grossing film of all time for years, earning $2.2 billion. DiCaprio’s fame from Titanic helped him secure the projects he wanted to do in the future, and it cemented his status as a bankable leading actor with serious roles.
Choosing one or the other was the harder part for the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star. Speaking to the above-mentioned publication about what he felt while choosing between the two, he explained, “Well, I think that was my answer to a question in the guise of speaking to Paul, and, without getting too personal about my own life, the question was, ‘What do you regret most?” We were sitting here talking about movies. It came from the standpoint of just being a fan of his work for so long.”
Claiming no one could have done a better job than Mark Wahlberg and praising Anderson’s progress since then, the Inception actor added, “So, it’s less about that specific film and more about wanting to have worked with Paul.”
Speaking about whether he had any regrets picking Titanic, he added, “No regrets. I mean, fully now in retrospect, I look back at that film and realize the thanks and the appreciation that I have for being a part of it, and to have been able to be in this incredibly fortunate position and not only to have been a part of that movie, but to be able to be the conductor of my own choices since.”
DiCaprio continued, “That has been just the greatest gift. The dilemma for me at that point was, of course, I would’ve loved to have done both movies, but it just couldn’t happen at that moment. And then, here we are, all these years later, and it’s this great sort of reconnection.”
The Wolf of Wall Street star also expressed his gratitude for finally being able to work with Paul Thomas Anderson, even if it wasn’t in Boogie Nights.
One Battle After Another is currently available for rent and purchase on digital platforms.
Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on ComingSoon.
