The storms of doubt and dispute that swirl around the production of some iconic films are often only recognized in hindsight. For example, Leonardo DiCaprio almost traded his biggest success for a role as a porn star. Shortly afterward, he stole a role that Ewan McGregor had already been promised, leading to McGregor being embroiled in a conflict with the director for 10 years: we are talking about The Beach – available for streaming on Disney+.
Leonardo DiCaprio ignites years-long feud with iconic role
As director Danny Boyle admitted in 2013 (via Digital Spy ), he had long suggested to McGregor that he would play the lead role in the drama about the decline of a mysterious island commune. He then turned to Leonardo DiCaprio, because it seemed more advantageous for his own career.
We treated [Ewan] badly. We gave him the impression that we would cast him in the lead role, which we then did not. We took another great actor, Leonardo DiCaprio. They are both great. […] You have this illusion that it’s going up, so you think you need a bigger star. But you quickly learn to stick to your own.”
McGregor had already shot three successful films with Boyle at the time of The Beach filming (including Trainspotting) and considered himself to be the director’s regular actor. As a result of the rift, the two did not speak for over ten years – a fact that the actor now regrets (via The Independent ):
I was arrogant back then. It felt like a badge: I am Danny Boyle’s actor! It’s been 18 years since then, and I just regret the films we [didn’t make because of the dispute].
Dispute over Leonardo DiCaprio finds a reconciliatory end
After a whole decade of silence, McGregor apparently extended his hand first by giving a speech praising the director: On the occasion of the success of Slumdog Millionaire, he explained that he admired his courage, loved him, and missed him (via Indie Wire ). Danny Boyle recalls:
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Someone asked him to present me with an award. He agreed and gave this incredible speech. And I cried backstage.
The reconciliation seems to have paid off. T2 Trainspotting was a critical and financial success as their fourth film together. Unlike The Beach, which flopped with critics and earned DiCaprio a nomination for a Golden Raspberry.
Whether that is deserved is up for everyone to decide for themselves. However, McGregor fans should not be too angry with the Boyle role thief: Without him, there would not have been one of the most touching reconciliation moments in recent film history.
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