- Brokeback Mountain (2005). DiCaprio denied a role in this movie, although it is not clear if it was Jack or Ennis. Jake Gyllenhaal/Heath Ledger got the roles. Source, Vulture
- The Talented Mr Ripley (1999). DiCaprio denied the role of Tom Ripley, which then went to Matt Damon. Source, The Guardian
- The Star Wars prequel trilogy (2002-2005). DiCaprio met with George Lucas but ultimately turned down the role of Anakin Skywalker, which went to Hayden Christensen. Source, Time Magazine
- Peter Parker in the Spiderman trilogy (2002-2007). The role went to Leo's good friend Tobey Maguire. Source, Time Magazine
- Robin in Batman Forever (1995). Chris O'Donnell took the role. Source, Time Magazine
- Neo in The Matrix (1999). DiCaprio initially said yes to the role, but then declined, saying he did not want to do a film that relied so much on visual effects so soon after Titanic. The role went to Keanu Reeves. Source, TheWrap
- Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000). Lionsgate wanted DiCaprio or another famous star in the role and was even willing to pay him 20 million USD, although Mary Harron opposed this decision, as he was too 'boyish'. DiCaprio was even announced by Lionsgate as being cast as Bateman; after a lot of behind-the-scenes conflict, DiCaprio eventually left citing creative differences, and Harron's choice of the relatively unknown Christian Bale was finally cast. DiCaprio left to film The Beach instead. Source, The Guardian
- Steve Jobs in the eponymous film (2015). He was approached to star, but ultimately did not join the project. Michael Fassbender was cast. Source, Variety
Do you agree with Leo on passing on these roles, and are you happy with the performances by the other actors? 'American Psycho' was probably the one closest to having Leo. What do you think Leo would've been like in these roles? He's been in so many iconic films and would have been in more had he taken on these roles, but they could also have led him down a completely different career path.
Posted by peachgothlover
27 Comments
I feel like he made the right choice every single time. Some of the actors gave iconic performances in their roles. Glad we got to see them.
I donāt see him as Bateman at all. Iād have liked to see his take on Ripley (although Matt Damon killed it)
He was also meant to play the lead in Boogie Nights but turned it down
You mean we could have seen Leo (potentially) getting dicked down on a mountain???
omg, I cant even imagine Leo as Anakin, thats wild >.<
I think his career has been fine regardless. Would love to see him do a Fincher film.
He was right to decline each and every one of these. But it also just feels like they were just offering him any role for a young male lead/co-lead because he was the biggest star at the time.
Will Smith also famously declined the role of Neo in the Matrix because he didn’t understand the script. š He regrets that decision.
Did they offer leo the neo role afterĀ smith declined or did they offer will smith the neo role after Leonardo DiCaprio declined?Ā
I actually can see Star Wars & Jobs movies. However, heās had a likely a better career not doing the CGI type movies.
Itās interesting Clooneyās & DiCaprioās have kept they āmystiqueā and to me itās difficult to understand how or why movie studios are no longer interested in creating new movie stars.
I’m suprised he turned down star wars. He is a massive fan. But it also makes sense cuz he never wanted to do franchise or sequels. It’s suprising he knew it would hurt his career from such a young age.
Every film was better for him not being in it. Iām sure heād have been great, he always is, but I canāt imagine him replacing any of these people. All of these roles are basically iconic, and I donāt use that word lightly.
Going from Titanic to American Psycho in 2 years would’ve had a lot of confused 12 yo girls watching.
He wouldn’t have made a convincing Tom Ripley, no one looks at (post-Titanic) Leo and thinks: “That’s an unpopular, insecure, socially awkward guy”.
Matt Damon had that combo of charm, sliminess and insecurity that made him the perfect Ripley.
I remember watching an interview with an actor I can’t remember who, maybe Bale? Who said that every male role in Hollywood gets offered to Leo first.
Was he offered these roles, or approached? Because those are very, very, very different things.
I donāt think Leo turned down American Psycho, I believe he actually loved the script.
It was the director (Mary Harron) who was adamant that Christian Bale play the lead role.
Itās wild how casting choices can completely change a movieās vibe, sometimes the āwhat ifā version feels just as iconic as the one we got.
I think all of them were good decisions on his part tbh. He’s got a pretty excellent resume and career so if I were him I’d have 0 regrets.Ā
I feel like Ripley is too similar to Catch me if you can
He really is that guy. These are all iconic roles. (Except maybe robin! ) The fact they all wanted him for this speaks volumes.
I wonder if they hired the young Anakin Jake Lloyd in anticipation of Leo taking the role in the next movies. He looks strikingly similar to DiCaprio
forever grateful that we got hayden as anakin š¤ I know the guy got lots of flack but his performance was phenomenal in ROTS
he also had to turn down Boogie Nights cause of the Titanic
Robert Downey Jr said he turned down The Matrix to do some indie movie and he started to regret it when he was sitting in prison LMAO
How good was leo that he got so many good offers?
I think Christian Bale once said that a lotta peoplesā most famous roles they got, because Leo passed
Hayden was absolutely perfect as Anakin and having Leo play that part would have completely ruined it.