Leonardo DiCaprio is a prolific name in Hollywood. The actor has been in some of the most successful and acclaimed films that have cemented him among the greatest actors of all time. He has rarely starred in big studio tentpole films and has mostly focused on character-driven films and prestige cinema, made by respected filmmakers. He has clearly shown this sentiment early on in his career with films like This Boy’s Life and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. The only big studio film he participated in was Titanic, which became the biggest commercial hit of his career.
DiCaprio has never worked on a superhero film in his entire career. he has time and again expressed how the genre does not appeal to him and in which he has no interest. But that has not stopped filmmakers and creators of some films of the genre from considering him for some roles in the comic book world.
Leonardo DiCaprio Was In the Running for the Role of Robin in Batman Forever
Leonardo DiCaprio does not seem to be an actor who is interested in wearing tight superhero spandex suits and fighting aliens in a green-screen environment. But he has been considered for some roles in the superhero world that he ultimately turned down. He was in the running for Robin in 1995’s Batman Forever. He expressed his disinterest in the role to Shortlist saying,
“I never screen-tested. I had a meeting with Joel Schumacher. It was just one meeting and, no, I didn’t end up doing it. Er, I don’t think I did, no (laughs). As I recall I took the meeting, but didn’t want to play the role. Joel Schumacher is a very talented director but I don’t think I was ready for anything like that”
DiCaprio is honest when it comes to his disinterest in the superhero world. He does not criticize the genre or anyone who enjoys it. He has his own interest and appetite for the kind of films that he wants to do and prefers to follow his own intuitions and desires as an actor.
Leonardo DiCaprio Was Also Considered for Riddler in Christopher Nolan’s Trilogy
Recently, screenwriter David S. Goyer, who extensively worked with Christopher Nolan on the Dark Knight Trilogy talked about his experiences with Nolan and the legacy of the trilogy. He also spilled some beans on some casting choices that did not come to fruition. He revealed that Jake Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale were among the top contenders for Batman. He also talked about how a Warner Bros. executive tried to force him to bring Leonardo DiCaprio as The Riddler in The Dark Knight Rises. He told The Happy Sad Confused Podcast,
“After The Dark Knight, the head of Warner Bros. at the premiere said, ‘You got to do the Riddler. Leo as the Riddler. You got to tell Chris, Leo as the Riddler.’ And that’s not the way we work”
The interview also revealed that Goyer and Nolan did not necessarily make the films based on which villains they wanted to see on screen. They wanted to explore Bruce within different thematic situations and experiences with each film and put villains that fit in that narrative.
Sources: Shortlist, Happy Sad Confused Podcast
