When it comes to their craft, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese are two outstanding visionaries. Both directors have established for themselves a respectable stature within Hollywood. Spielberg and Scorsese emerged as the most influential personalities of the New Hollywood era, inspiring not just the actors who aspired to work with them but also a slew of directors who followed in their footsteps.
As insightful and talented filmmakers with their respective styles, the two have regularly sought each other’s advice, especially in the ’70s. Over the years, as they grew older, the habit of seeking counsel from one another dissipated until one fateful day. In an interview with THR, the Taxi Driver alum revealed the famous sequence from his 2013 movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, that Spielberg helped bring to life.
Steven Spielberg Stopped By The Wolf of Wall Street Set One Day
The Leonardo DiCaprio starrer is a biographical black comedy crime film. Based on Jordan Belfort’s 2007 memoir of the same name, The Wolf of Wall Street explores the themes of hedonism, greed, skewed morality, overindulgence in materialism, and corruption. It’s essentially a classic Scorsese crime film. DiCaprio’s outstanding performance and the director’s understanding of the text make for an excellent, gripping premise. The visual narrative further elevates the materialistic apathy displayed in the film.
Against a budget of $100 million, the Scorsese-helmed endeavor amassed a worldwide gross of $406.9 million. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Wolf of Wall Street enjoys an approval rating of 80%, with the audience’s score being 83%. It went on to be nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Martin Scorsese, and Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio.
Read also: Steven Spielberg Has Never Pushed Any Actor Too Hard For a Role Except One Oscar Winner
Unfortunately, it failed to receive any of those honors. Believing that Scorsese and DiCaprio had been snubbed, many cinephiles clamored at the time. Justifiably so. Although the film had to compete with its stellar and extraordinary contemporaries, many felt that the director and leading man’s efforts deserved better.
The film appeared to deserve an Oscar not just for its narrative but also for how the scenes were constructed, the shots were arranged, and the talents were used. It was a filmmaking masterclass. One particular element that made it more special was Steven Spielberg‘s uncredited contribution.
But it wasn’t because Scorsese deliberately requested Spielberg’s advice. The latter decided to stop by the set one day while the film’s speeches were being shot. He was only there to say hello. Soon, though, a simple greeting would turn into staying throughout the day and assisting the project’s director with certain scenes.
Steven Spielberg Helped Co-Direct The Steve Madden Speech Scene
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scorsese recalled Spielberg’s visit to the set. This happened the day they were shooting the Steve Madden speech sequence. In the scene, we see Jordan Belfort convince his brokers at Stratton Oakmont to sell Madden stock—in the most passionate, vehement, and egregiously hubristic fashion.
You can check the scene out below:
Spielberg was in attendance to assist the director with this memorable scene. Scorsese’s amusing description of the situation is as follows:
“Well, he [Spielberg] came on the set the day we were shooting the speeches. He said he came in to say hello, and he stayed the whole day and was helping me, saying, ‘I think you should move the camera.’”
Leonardo DiCaprio was particularly astonished to have been directed by the two famous film titans. Although nerve-racking, the sequence’s greatness sprang from their combined genius. The actor commented on the matter:
“That was like a double-whammy for everyone on set. Everyone who had to act that day was like, ‘Spielberg and Scorsese are watching me? Jesus Christ!'”
Not only did Spielberg assist with the camera angles, but he also advised the crew where to position the microphone that was obstructing the talent’s face. Martin Scorsese reflected fondly on the moment. The Goodfellas director concluded that the last time he was on a Steven Spielberg set was during the production of Catch Me If You Can. They used to spend more time asking each other for guidance, especially in the 1970s. They are, however, currently sticking to their respective styles of filmmaking.
As a result, their unexpected collaboration on The Wolf of Wall Street proved note-worthy in more ways than one. The sequence has left us anticipating more endeavors where the two legends can showcase their combined genius.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is available for streaming on Paramount+.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
