Leonardo DiCaprio has built one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood, with roles that have defined modern cinema. From Titanic to The Revenant and The Wolf of Wall Street, nearly every project he’s touched has turned into a critical or box office success. Yet, despite his incredible achievements, the Oscar-winning actor admits there’s one role he regrets passing on.
The Role Leonardo DiCaprio Wishes He Took
In a recent interview, DiCaprio revealed that his biggest career regret was turning down the role of Eddie Adams in the 1997 cult classic Boogie Nights. The part eventually went to Mark Wahlberg, who played the character — later known as Dirk Diggler — to widespread acclaim.
The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, follows Eddie, a nightclub dishwasher who gets discovered by filmmaker Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) and becomes a rising star in the adult film industry. The movie is often regarded as a masterpiece of 1990s cinema.
DiCaprio admitted:
“My biggest regret is not doing Boogie Nights. It was a profound movie of my generation. I can’t imagine anyone but Mark [Wahlberg] in it, but when I finally saw it, I just thought it was a masterpiece.”
Why DiCaprio Chose Titanic Instead
At the time, DiCaprio had already committed to James Cameron’s Titanic (1997), where he played Jack Dawson opposite Kate Winslet. The decision proved to be life-changing, as Titanic became one of the highest-grossing films in history and solidified his status as a global superstar.
Looking back, DiCaprio admits he made the right choice for his career, but still wonders what could have been had he accepted the Boogie Nights role.
Finally Teaming Up With Paul Thomas Anderson
While DiCaprio missed out on Boogie Nights, he is finally teaming up with director Paul Thomas Anderson for the upcoming film One Battle After Another. In the movie, DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary trying to escape his past and raise his daughter, while being hunted by an investigator played by Sean Penn.
The project has reportedly been on Anderson’s desk for years, and DiCaprio expressed his excitement about finally collaborating with him:
“I’ve been wanting to work with you for 20 years. I loved this idea of a washed-up revolutionary trying to live a normal life. That’s what drew me in.”
One Battle After Another is set to hit theaters on September 26.
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