DiCaprio Reflects on Career Choice Between Titanic and Boogie Nights

Hollywood veteran Leonardo DiCaprio has shared intimate details about one of his most significant career decisions, revealing his enduring regret over declining a role in Paul Thomas Anderson's acclaimed 1997 film "Boogie Nights."

Speaking at Time magazine's "A Year in Time" event, the 51-year-old Academy Award winner recounted a pivotal meeting with director Anderson early in his career. The encounter took place in his mother's living room, where Anderson presented his vision for the film in an unconventional manner.

"I was on the couch and he brought a LaserDisc of 'Raging Bull' and a video cassette of pornography," DiCaprio recalled. "And he said, 'I want to do the 'Raging Bull' of pornography.'"

At the time, DiCaprio was in his early twenties, having established himself through notable performances in "This Boy's Life," "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "Romeo + Juliet," and "Marvin's Room." Faced with this challenging proposition, he sought counsel from veteran filmmaker Martin Scorsese.

The Crossroads Decision

DiCaprio ultimately chose to pursue James Cameron's "Titanic" rather than accept the role of Eddie Adams, also known as Dirk Diggler, in "Boogie Nights." The part subsequently went to Mark Wahlberg, who delivered a career-defining performance in the film about a young man's rise in the adult entertainment industry.

"Boogie Nights" earned three Academy Award nominations and featured an ensemble cast including Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Heather Graham. Meanwhile, "Titanic" achieved unprecedented success with 14 Oscar nominations and 11 wins.

Despite the commercial triumph of "Titanic," DiCaprio maintains his decision to decline "Boogie Nights" remains his greatest professional regret. In a recent Esquire interview with Anderson present, he stated candidly, "My biggest regret is not doing 'Boogie Nights.' It was a profound movie of my generation."

Artistic Recognition and Future Collaboration

The actor has consistently praised Anderson's work, describing "Boogie Nights" as "a masterpiece" upon first viewing. He acknowledges the film's lasting impact, noting how Anderson's works "ruminate in my mind and they're conversation pieces with my friends."

In September, DiCaprio finally had the opportunity to collaborate with Anderson on "One Battle After Another." Reflecting on this long-awaited partnership, he expressed his enthusiasm for working with the acclaimed director.

"When these opportunities come up, I mean, I can't say no," DiCaprio told People magazine. "Ever since I met Paul early on and I saw 'Boogie Nights,' I've been an obsessive fan of his work."

As DiCaprio continues his distinguished career, he emphasizes his desire to be more selective with future projects, prioritizing artistic merit over commercial considerations. "Those pieces of art, that you still talk about and still think about and still question," he explained, "those are the films that we strive for as an actor."