Leonardo DiCaprio Regrets Missing Out $43M Indie Movie to Act in James Cameron’s Titanic That Made Him Hollywood’s Heartthrob

Leonardo DiCaprio is 48 years old but has been part of Hollywood’s elite list since his teenage years with roles in films like Parenthood and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. 

The actor became a bonafide star with James Cameron’s epic disaster romance Titanic in 1997 which celebrated 25 years with its re-release in 2023.

Titanic was a stepping stone for DiCaprio to soar higher and take on complex roles with iconic directors like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino.

Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio

The actor’s consistent performances and film choices finally resulted in him winning the elusive Oscar for his role in The Revenant.

While Leonardo DiCaprio’s filmography could make many of his contemporaries envious, the actor has also expressed his regrets about having let a few important films pass through his grasp.

Leonardo DiCaprio Rued Not Doing Boogie Nights

Despite choosing an eclectic array of roles in his career, Leonardo DiCaprio has also missed out on the opportunity of being part of a few cult films.

The actor confessed that he was approached to play the lead role of prolific porn star Dirk Diggler in Paul Anderson’s 2008 film Boogie Nights. The role ultimately made Mark Wahlberg a household name.

The Departed star had to make the tough decision to let go of the movie due to his commitments to James Cameron’s Titanic.

The Oscar winner stated that he would have loved to be part of the film while expressing his views on hypothetically being allowed to turn back time to change his decision. The actor said,

“I’m not saying I would have. But it would have been a different direction, career-wise. I think they’re both great and wish I could have done them both”

Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights

DiCaprio was quick to give Titanic its dues saying that without the James Cameron film falling into his lap, his career consisting of many diverse films would not be what it is today.

Leonardo DiCaprio Almost Lost Out On Playing Jack In Titanic

James Cameron’s Titanic is one of the most successful films of all time, earning 11 out of 14 Oscars at the Academy Awards in 1998.

The film won great acclaim, not just for Cameron’s mastery behind the lens, but also for the timeless chemistry between its two lead actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kate Winslet.

But Cameron revealed some intriguing facts about his leading man, whom he almost did not cast due to DiCaprio’s negativity during auditions.

James Cameron almost did not cast Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic

The director speaking about the incident said that the actor refused to read lines that were given to him saying that he wasn’t in the habit of reading for his roles.

Cameron who was thrown off and irritated decided to bluntly initiate DiCaprio into the workings of his mind and said,

“‘Oh, yeah. Come on. This is, like, a giant movie that’s gonna take two years of my life … so I’m not gonna f–k it up by making the wrong decision in casting. So you’re gonna read, or you’re not gonna get the part.’”

Leonardo DiCaprio was then quick to understand what was expected of him and jumped on board by seamlessly transforming into his character Jack. The result is now there permanently for everyone to see.