Leonardo DiCaprio Reflects on His Biggest Regret: Turning Down Boogie Nights
In a candid conversation with director Paul Thomas Anderson for Esquire, Leonardo DiCaprio opened up about a significant regret in his illustrious acting career. The Oscar-winning star revealed that his "biggest regret" is declining the role in the iconic 1997 film, Boogie Nights.
DiCaprio shared, “I’ll say it even though you’re here: My biggest regret is not doing Boogie Nights. It was a profound movie of my generation.” He acknowledged the impact of the film, stating, “I can’t imagine anyone but Mark [Wahlberg] in it. When I finally watched the movie, I thought it was a masterpiece. It’s ironic that you’re the person asking that question, but it’s true.”
The reason for his decision stemmed from his commitment to Titanic, which ultimately made him pass on the groundbreaking project. DiCaprio had expressed in a 2008 interview with GQ that he wished he could have balanced both iconic films, saying, “I could have done them both” instead of being forced to choose.
Boogie Nights featured Mark Wahlberg as Eddie Adams, a young man discovered by porn director Jack Horner, played by Burt Reynolds, who rises to fame as porn star Dirk Diggler. While DiCaprio and Anderson never collaborated on Boogie Nights, their long-awaited partnership finally materializes in the upcoming film, One Battle After Another.
Reflecting on their long-awaited collaboration, DiCaprio remarked, “I know One Battle After Another has been on your desk for a long time. It’s a personal story for you and certainly relevant to today’s world.” He emphasized his eagerness to work with Anderson, saying, “I’ve wanted to join forces for nearly twenty years. I loved the idea of a washed-up revolutionary trying to erase his past and lead a normal life while raising his daughter.”
One Battle After Another centers around a group of former revolutionaries who reunite to help their friend Bob Ferguson, portrayed by DiCaprio, in his quest to find his daughter. Mark your calendars for its release on September 26!
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting collaboration and DiCaprio’s continued journey in the film industry!
