Leonardo DiCaprio is setting the record straight about whether he regrets turning down Boogie Nights to star in Titanic. In a new interview with Deadline, the 51-year-old actor clarified comments that had previously been interpreted as expressing regret over not taking the Paul Thomas Anderson film.
DiCaprio originally sparked discussion when he was quoted in Esquire’s Mavericks of Hollywood issue earlier this year, calling the decision his “greatest regret.” Now, he says the remark was misunderstood.
“Well, I think that was my answer to a question in the guise of speaking to [Paul Thomas Anderson], and, without getting too personal about my own life, the question was, ‘What do you regret most?’” DiCaprio explained. “We were sitting here talking about movies. It came from the standpoint of just being a fan of his work for so long.”
Speaking about Boogie Nights, he continued, “I do remember watching that movie and it being just a lightning rod moment for my generation. It was like the arrival of a new cinematic titan, one who was speaking to my generation.”
DiCaprio emphasized that he never believed he was a better fit for the lead role than Mark Wahlberg, who ultimately played Eddie Adams/Dirk Diggler.
“Now, I don’t think anyone could have done a better job than Mark Wahlberg in that movie,” he said. “So, I said it from the perspective of being just a really sincere fan and then watching the way Paul has progressed as a storyteller with these very esoteric, existential films he’s made since then that keep you thinking.”
“Boogie Nights was the launching pad for a new artist. So, it’s less about that specific film and more about wanting to have worked with Paul.”
Wahlberg, now 54, took on the role in the 1997 film after DiCaprio, then 50, was forced to decline due to already being committed to James Cameron’s Titanic. That film went on to become a global blockbuster and a career-defining moment.
Looking back on the choice, DiCaprio has no doubts. “No regrets,” he said. “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. That has been just the greatest gift.”
He added that he would have loved to take on both roles, but the timing made it impossible.
“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,” he said. “And then, here we are, all these years later and it’s this great sort of reconnection. We’ve gone on these paths together, and then to come back around and be able to collaborate with Paul on this is just amazing.”
Ultimately, DiCaprio considers Titanic the turning point that allowed him to shape his own career.
“But yeah, I mean that moment, I don’t know what my ability or my career would’ve been without that film making it possible to be able to steer the course of my own career. So, I’m very thankful.”
Source: People