DiCaprio Says His Biggest “Regret” in Life Is Not Starring in Boogie Nights: “I Feel Like I’m 32”
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Leonardo DiCaprio has revealed what he calls the biggest “regret” of his life in a new interview with Esquire, alongside Paul Thomas Anderson. In the 1990s, the Oscar-winning 50-year-old actor faced a choice between Anderson’s Boogie Nights and James Cameron’s Titanic—ultimately deciding to join the latter.
Titanic became the highest-grossing film of its time and catapulted DiCaprio to global fame, but the actor says that even after three decades, he still regrets not collaborating with Anderson on Boogie Nights. When Anderson asked if he had any “regrets” in life, DiCaprio replied:
“Even though you’re sitting right here, I’ll say it: My biggest regret is not starring in Boogie Nights. It’s one of the defining films of my generation.”
He continued:
“When I finally saw that film, I thought it was a masterpiece. It’s bitterly ironic that you’re the one asking this question, but it’s true.”
In past years, there were rumors that Anderson had wanted DiCaprio to play Dirk Diggler, a porn actor role that eventually went to Mark Wahlberg. Speaking with Anderson, DiCaprio admitted that despite his regret, he couldn’t imagine anyone but Wahlberg in the part. The film tells the story of the “Golden Age of Porn” in 1970s Los Angeles, and starred Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham, and Burt Reynolds, who earned an Oscar nomination for his performance.
In the years that followed, Anderson directed films such as Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, and Phantom Thread. Twenty years after Boogie Nights, he finally worked with DiCaprio on One Battle After Another, which is set to be released soon.
Anderson previously told the SmartLess podcast:
“It’s absolutely true that I asked Leo to star in Boogie Nights, and he spent many months discussing and thinking it over. Ultimately… halfway through the decision-making process, it became clear that he had to choose between Boogie Nights and Titanic. He chose Titanic—a decision that brought him enormous worldwide fame in the long run. But on the other hand, I think—though we laugh about it now—that he still regrets missing out on that experience.”
At this year’s CinemaCon, DiCaprio said:
“I’ve been waiting twenty years to work with Paul [Thomas Anderson]. He’s one of the most unique talents of our time. With this film, he’s ventured into a political and cultural work that floods our very souls.”
In another part of their Esquire interview, Anderson—who turns 51 in November—asked DiCaprio:
“I’ll ask you something, and you have to answer as quickly as possible. If you didn’t know your age, how old would you think you were?”
DiCaprio replied:
“Thirty-two.”
Anderson followed up:
“You’re fifty, but in terms of emotional maturity you think you’re thirty-two. What does that feel like?”
DiCaprio answered that getting older has made him “more honest” and less likely to waste time.
DiCaprio certainly doesn’t “waste” time when it comes to dating women. According to unofficial reports, he has been linked to 19 women, all models and actresses between the ages of 18 and 27. His current girlfriend is 27-year-old model Vittoria Ceretti.
