Leonardo DiCaprio has starred in some of the most famous films of our times – from the Titanic to The Wolf of Wall Street, but he has revealed the one role he regrets turning down.
The Oscar winner said he feels regretful about rejecting the opportunity to be in Boogie Nights, Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 drama about the porn industry.
However, his decision not to pursue the role made him available to star in James Cameron’ Titanic.
In an interview with Anderson himself in a new Esquire profile, Di Caprio revealed: “My biggest regret is not doing Boogie Nights. It was a profound movie of my generation.
“When I finally got to see that movie, I just thought it was a masterpiece. It’s ironic that you’re the person asking that question, but it’s true.”
DiCaprio’s decision is making headlines, but we’ve got a bigger list of actors who have regretted turning down major roles.
Gwyneth Paltrow – Titanic
Gwyneth Paltrow, along with Winona Ryder, Reese Witherspoon, Claire Danes and Gabrielle Anwar all turned down the part to play Rose in Titanic. Kate Winslet starred as the socialite protagonist in James Cameron’s dramatic, romantic drama about the Titanic ship’s historic sinking.
Will Smith – The Matrix
In 2019, Will Smith confirmed rumours that he rejected the leading role of Neo in The Matrix. In passing up the sci-fi film, Smith made Wild Wild West instead, which he has confessed to still feeling regretful about over 20 years later.
Madonna – The Matrix
Madonna follows suit from Will Smith’s regrets about not taking a role in The Matrix. She was offered the part of Trinity, which was played by Carrie-Anne Moss, in the sci-fi action movie.
In an interview with Far Out Magazine, she said: “I turned down the role in The Matrix, can you believe that?... That’s like one of the best movies ever made… A teeny-tiny part of me regrets just that one moment in my life.”
Matt Damon – Avatar
Matt Damon was not only offered the role of Avatar protagonist Jake Sully in 2007, he was also promised 10 per cent of the film’s gross. In turning it down, Damon lost out on an estimated £148m as the film ended up becoming the highest grossing film in history.
Although he hasn’t explicitly said he regrets the decision, in 2019 he told GQ: “I’ve left more money on the table than any actor,” and said his biggest regret is that he lost out on the opportunity to work with legendary filmmaker James Cameron. The Avatar protagonist was instead played by Sam Worthington.
Christina Applegate – Legally Blonde
Christina Applegate was first approached to play leading lady Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. In 2015 Applegate revealed she turned down the part because of fears of repeating herself – she felt Elle was too similar to the character she played on the sitcom Married… with Children.
Reese Witherspoon ended up playing the blonde bimbo turned Harvard hard-hitting lawyer and the two actresses ended up playing sisters to Rachel on Friends.
Josh Hartnett – Batman Begins
Josh Hartnett has been open about his regret for turning down the role of Batman. In 2015 he admitted he was afraid of being pigeonholed and typecast as one thing, that he turned down the opportunity.
He realised he had made a mistake when Christian Bale, who starred as Batman, was cast in both Batman Begins and the film’s follow up The Prestige.
Halle Berry – Speed
Halle Berry turned down the opportunity to star in Speed, a role which was eventually offered to Sandra Bullock who drives a bus rigged with explosives in the film.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she said: “I stupidly said no. But in my defence, when I read the script the bus didn’t leave the parking lot.”
Al Pacino – Star Wars
Harrison Ford wasn’t the only actor considered for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars – Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Sylvester Stallone are among the actors considered. Pacino said he felt closest to getting cast and regrets not landing the role.
Eddie Murphy – Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Eddie Murphy turned down the chance to star in Who Framed Roger Rabbit because he had doubts about a film which had animation alongside live-action footage.
The role went to Bob Hoskins, with Murphy admitting he regrets missing the opportunity.
