A Different Path for Leonardo DiCaprio
If history had taken a different turn, the iconic film "Titanic" might have starred a different actor—Lenny Williams. This revelation came to light during a recent appearance on the "New Heights" podcast, where Leonardo DiCaprio shared a fascinating story from his early career.
DiCaprio recalled that in his teenage years, an agent suggested he change his name to Lenny Williams, claiming that his original name was "too ethnic." He explained, "I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic.’ I go, ‘What do you mean? It's Leonardo DiCaprio?’ They go, ‘No, too ethnic. They're never going to hire you. Your new name is Lenny Williams.'"
At just 12 or 13 years old, DiCaprio was confused by the suggestion. "I said, ‘What is Lenny?’ I was 12, 13. I said, ‘What is Lenny Williams?’ ‘We took your middle name and we made it. Now you're Lenny.’"
The idea of changing his name didn't sit well with DiCaprio’s father. When he showed his father his headshot with the new name, his father "ripped it up, and he said, ‘Over my dead body.’"
This wasn’t an isolated experience. Benicio Del Toro, who also appeared on the podcast, shared a similar story. He revealed that he was told to go by the nickname "Benny Del," likely due to the same pressures faced by DiCaprio.
Despite these challenges, both actors went on to become major figures in Hollywood. DiCaprio and Del Toro now star together in Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming thriller, "One Battle After Another," which is set to hit theaters on September 26. The film features DiCaprio as Bob, a burnt-out revolutionary who must team up with his former conspirators to rescue his daughter from an old foe.
Film critic Owen Gleiberman praised the movie, stating in his review, "‘One Battle After Another’ is a movie that taps into the fierce urgency of now; it gives you a chill that's also a wake-up call. Yet when you hear the movie described, it can sound rather aggressive in its dystopian topicality, like a bombs-away, knowingly over-the-top thriller-satire of where we are today and where we might be headed."
With such high expectations, the film is poised to make a significant impact. As fans anticipate its release, the question remains: what if DiCaprio had indeed gone by the name Lenny Williams? Would the course of his career have been different?
Other New Releases and Box Office Outlook
In addition to "One Battle After Another," there are several other new movies making their way to theaters this week. Film enthusiasts are encouraged to check out the latest releases and decide which films they want to see.
Box office analysts are also keeping a close eye on the potential performance of "One Battle After Another." With Oscar buzz surrounding both DiCaprio and Anderson, there's hope that the film could open over $20 million, further solidifying its place in the cinematic landscape.
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