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The 2013, The Wolf of Wall Street was a huge success both at the box office and with high critical scores. The film brought in $406 million, featuring a star-studded cast. Leonardo DiCaprio put on another memorable performance, using his improv skills. While Matthew McConaughey would also perfectly craft his role in the film.The journey for Jonah Hill and his appearance in the film was a little more difficult. Hill was desperate for an audition and to get the chance in front of Martin Scorsese. We'll take a look back at how Jonah Hill finally got the audition, and why he jumped at the offer without thinking twice.
Leonardo DiCaprio Was A Major Reason For Jonah Hill Getting A Chance With Martin Scorsese
Getting into The Wolf Of Wall Street was quite the task for Jonah Hill. Just getting in front of the iconic filmmaker Martin Scorsese wasn't easy. In order to do so, Hill went through Leonardo DiCaprio, showing the actor why he would be right for the film.
Hill stated, “I had got the opportunity to meet with Leo first and give him an impassioned argument as to why I had to play the part, and then he was supportive, luckily."
After that, Hill went to New York, trying to persuade Scorsese for a spot on the film. He said with Far Out Magazine, "Then I went to New York, and I said, ‘well, can I show Scorsese what I want to do instead of just begging him to do the part.’ Then I got to read with him, and I was lucky enough to get the part.”
Hill ultimately landed the career-changing role, however, the terms were not the greatest and nowhere near what the actor typically commands.
Jonah Hill Didn't Waste Time Signing His Wolf Of Wall Street Contract, Despite The $60,000 Pay
The first offer came in, and it was $60,000. Instead of renegotiating the low ball offer, Hill did the opposite and jumped on it, before the filmmaker or anyone else would change their minds.
Hill told Howard Stern, “That was their offer, and I said, ‘I will sign the paper tonight. Fax them the papers tonight. I want to sign them tonight before they change their mind. I want to sign them before I go to sleep tonight so they legally can’t change their mind."
For Jonah, the money attached to the project was the last thing on his mind. Instead, it was all about being able to work in the project.
“I would sell my house and give him all my money to work for him,” he added assertively.
“This isn’t what you make money for. You do 22 Jump Street or you do other things, and you can pay your rent. I would have done anything in the world. I would do it again in a second. This isn’t about money. You should do things that you care about.”
The actor thrived in the role and clearly, he was the right man for the part.
Working With Martin Scorsese Exceeded Jonah Hill's Expectations
So was the pay cut worth it for Hill? According to the actor alongside Indie Wire, it absolutely was, as the filmmaker gave him an experience he'd never forget.
"It exceeded my expectations, and my expectations couldn’t have been higher. As far as what I’ve learned, what I was able to do with Donnie doesn’t come along often in people’s careers—to be that unhinged, messed up, fractured and out of control."
Hill would further state that Marty thrived in the aspect of 'organized chaos'.
"I think what Scorsese does better than anybody else is he creates organized chaos. He creates a safe and organized place for people to become completely unhinged, and I don’t know how he does that."
As for if there were any negatives, Jonah Hill just listed one thing, and that was his character Donnie and how he didn't enjoy his ways.
"They say you’re not supposed to judge the character at all, and I tried my hardest, but I couldn’t really find that much I really liked about Donnie. I just didn’t like the way that Donnie treated people, that was the thing I had the hardest time with.”