Leonardo DiCaprio can make or break a film. Today, a movie is on TV where his casting sparked 10 years of controversy.
Leonardo DiCaprio attracts millions to the movies. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, that was true not only of masterpieces like Titanic, but also of films like The Beach. At the same time, however, Di Caprio’s casting fractured the friendship between Star Wars star Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: Episode I) and director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting). Today the film is on TV.
On TV: Leonardo DiCaprio’s iconic role destroyed a star friendship
The Beach maker Boyle admitted to Digital Spy in 2013 that he had first promised DiCaprio’s role to McGregor. He had treated him poorly and suggested a gig that he eventually gave to another actor. McGregor was deeply affected by the cancellation and didn’t talk for 10 years to his regular director, who had also previously cast him in Live Unusually and Small Murders Among Friends.
It wasn’t until many years later that they reconnected, thanks to a eulogy McGregor was to deliver on Boyle’s work. He had been crying behind the scenes, Boyle opened on The Graham Norton Show. The friendship has since been putty again. It is not known if Leonardo DiCaprio knows about the rift.
When is The Beach on TV?
The Beach comes on RTL 2 this Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 8:15 p.m. Those who don’t have time then can catch up with the movie at 0:40 a.m. In addition to DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton (Only Lovers Left Alive), among others, can be seen in the film.