50 Star Wars secrets that will blow your mind
By Josh Hill
12. Leonardo DiCaprio Passed On Playing Anakin Skywalker
There have been a slew of actors deemed “dreamy” to have sidestepped the teenie-bopper film roles to have actual careers as thespians. Heath Ledger infamously did this when he made it big and Leonardo DiCaprio did for the most part, as well.
After the success of Titanic, DiCaprio was the hottest young actor in Hollywood and was being offered everything from roles in films like Man in the Iron Mask to teenaged heartthrob romantic comedies. When it came time to find an older Anakin Skywalker for Attack of the Clones, George Lucas fell victim to the dreaminess of Leo and sought him out for the role.
With production starting in 2000 and rolling through 2002, DiCaprio wasn’t really feeling the franchise commitment he needed to make in order to take the role. He passed on it due to scheduling conflicts — one that ended up being Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York and the rebirth of DiCaprio as we known him today.
Next: 11. A Star Wars Horror Movie?