Martin Scorsese’s contributions to the cinematic sphere have shaped his stature as a world-class auteur. Not only is the helmer regarded highly among the audiences, but the prominent figure of the New Hollywood era has garnered immense respect from his colleagues and the far-ranging extent of the filmmaking industry while pushing and challenging the boundaries with his films.
As is observed in the career trajectory of most directors, re-defining narrative structures and breathing life into premises isn’t a lone task. It requires various partnerships forged over the years with different creatives—among which the director-actor duo takes considerable precedence.
We’ve seen many of those in the film realm, especially ones sustained for years and decades—Alfred Hitchcock-James Stewart, Christopher Nolan-Cillian Murphy, John Ford-John Wayne, and many others. But Scorsese’s most treasured long-term collaborations haven’t involved just one actor—they’ve involved two!
Recently, however, the Oscar-winning director appears to have chosen his favorite, with Leonardo DiCaprio overshadowing veteran star Robert De Niro.
Martin Scorsese Calls Leonardo DiCaprio One Of The Best Hollywood Actors In History
There have been many on-screen talents that Scorsese has repeatedly worked with. At the center of most of his movies, though, two leading stars have dazzled audiences frequently—Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. With the former, the esteemed director’s partnership has spawned a mind-blowing ten films spanning five decades. On Mean Streets (1973), the two would join hands for the first time.
As for Leonardo DiCaprio, the actor has basked in the honor of working with the renowned auteur on six separate occasions, starting with 2002’s Gangs of New York. In Scorsese’s latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, the two frequent collaborators of the helmer combine their on-screen powers, proving precisely why they are favored.
While a debate has persisted among audiences to prove which actor-director duo is better, Martin Scorsese’s recent remarks about the Titanic star may imply he has settled on a favorite.
At 2024’s National Board of Review Awards Gala, as the director snagged awards for his latest outing in the Best Picture and Best Director categories, one of his speeches, as reported by IndieWire, affirmed the following:
“In 23 years, we made six pictures together now… I have faith in him [DiCaprio]. I know I can depend on him. His immersion in the process of the person … trying to play within the story is full. His fearlessness … has given me life when I make a film.”
He continued,
“He’s a genius in terms of [what] cinema really is, and you could see it in the face. […] I really know he’s truly one of the greatest actors in the history of movies. I thank him for everything.”
Interestingly enough, the first time the auteur was recommended to partner up with the now-49-year-old actor, Robert De Niro was behind the suggestion, with whom DiCaprio had first shared the screen on 1993’s This Boy’s Life.
Robert De Niro Urged Martin Scorsese To Work With Leonardo DiCaprio
Although conversations and discourse surrounding the better director-actor partnership involving the trio would continue to persist, it’s almost endearing to have learned that Robert De Niro initially sowed the seeds of an eventual collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. The director has shed light on this fun fact before, but during the NBR gala, he reiterated himself. As per the IndieWire report, the prominent auteur stated:
“Originally, Bob De Niro told me about Leo DiCaprio when he worked with him in ‘This Boy’s Life.’ He said, ‘You gotta work with this kid one day.’ And at that time, De Niro never really recommended anyone to me.”
Recounting the same incident in a GQ interview, Scorsese first underscored the significance of his enduring acquaintanceship with De Niro:
“De Niro — we were acquainted … when we [were] 16 years old. Because of my relationship with him … he experienced what I experienced growing up. He’s the only one I know … who was working in that capacity, [who] knows who I am and where I came from.”
Read more: Martin Scorsese’s Jesus Movie Sets Disappointing Record in Celebrated Filmmaker’s Career!
Here, Scorsese disclosed that the Taxi Driver alum had never before suggested anybody’s name for the director to work with. However, impressed by the then-young DiCaprio’s caliber and prowess, the budding star was personally endorsed by De Niro. The latter phoned Scorsese to say, “You’ve got to do work with him someday.”
And work he eventually did. Of course, it took some time for the appropriate opportunity to present itself, and with Gangs of New York, the DiCaprio-Scorsese partnership was ultimately forged.
Although De Niro’s request was rare, it demonstrates that the seasoned actor saw potential in the younger actor and the endless possibilities for collaboration between the Inception alum and Scorsese. Amid discussions of the better actor-director duo, these instances and anecdotes bring forth the serendipitous magic of the trio.
Killers of the Flower Moon, currently available for streaming on Apple TV+, showcases this shared charm the best.
