Leonardo DiCaprio has established himself as one of the most talented actors of his time. The actor has earned his $260 million net worth by starring in a sea of acclaimed roles that showcase the extent of his abilities as an actor. Along with his natural talent, we also know that he’s incredibly dedicated to his acting career, taking great measures to prepare for the roles he plays. He even gained 15 pounds of muscle for his role in The Departed!
The actor’s list of film appearances is already impressive, but it’s come to light that he had the opportunity to star in yet another iconic film in the 1990s. Despite being offered an impressive pay check, DiCaprio turned down the chance to star in this legendary Halloween movie. Keep reading to find out which Halloween movie Leonardo DiCaprio could have been in and why he had the nerve to say no.
The Role Of Max In ‘Hocus Pocus’
Hocus Pocus is one of the most popular Halloween movies of all time. For many people, it’s a non-negotiable tradition to watch this cult classic, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters—three witches from the 17th century who are brought back to life on Halloween night in 1993.
Many fans don’t realize that Leonardo DiCaprio was offered a role in the movie. The filmmakers wanted him to play Max, a high school kid who’s just moved to Salem and thinks Halloween is overrated until he lights the black flame candle and unknowingly brings the witches back to life!
DiCaprio turned down the role of Max, which eventually went to Omri Katz. Interestingly, he also turned down a role in another horror film: American Psycho.
Turning Down “More Money Than He’d Ever Dreamed Of”
When the filmmakers tried to recruit Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Max, they offered him a lot of money. In fact, DiCaprio revealed that it was actually “more money than I ever dreamed of.” So what on earth made him turn them down?
It turns out that the young actor had his sights set on another film: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, in which he eventually starred opposite Johnny Depp. “I don’t know where the hell I got the nerve,” he said (via Variety). “You live in an environment where you’re influenced by people telling you to make a lot of money and strike while the iron’s hot. But if there’s one thing I’m very proud of, it’s being a young man who was sticking to my guns.”
DiCaprio's appearence in What's Eating Gilbert Grape was perhaps the first time that audiences realized he was capable of delivering a stellar performance.
The Legacy Of ‘Hocus Pocus’
There’s no doubt that DiCaprio would have been successful if he had accepted the role of Max in Hocus Pocus. The film went on to find global success, winning over generations of fans. Nearly 30 years later, the film is still a must for many every Halloween.
There is also a second Hocus Pocus film in the works, which is set to star much of the former cast. However, according to Screen Rant, Omri Katz has revealed that he hasn’t been asked to reprise his role of Max in the sequel.
The Legacy Of ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’
Compared to Hocus Pocus, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape has garnered fewer fans over the years. The Indie film did not reach the mainstream success that Hocus Pocus did, but that doesn’t mean it was a failure. In fact, critics believe that the film was an example of DiCaprio’s finest work. He was 19 years old when he was nominated for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role award at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes for his role as Arnie Grape.
Arnie Grape, the younger brother of Johnny Depp’s protagonist, is intellectually disabled. Leonardo DiCaprio did a lot of research in preparation for the role, impressing critics.
The Impact Of His Decision
In hindsight, the choice to appear in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape rather than Hocus Pocus turned out well for Leonardo DiCaprio. He has established himself as an actor with serious chops, evident in how well he executed the challenging role of Arnie Grape.
Though his roles in Titanic and Romeo + Juliet made him a heartthrob, DiCaprio has definitely proven that he’s a talented actor. He’s starred in many challenging roles throughout his career, but starring as Arnie really cemented the extent of his talent for the audience.
DiCaprio’s Experiences With Horror
DiCaprio may have missed out on starring in a Halloween movie with Hocus Pocus, but he has appeared in other Halloween-appropriate movies throughout his career. In 2010, he starred in Shutter Island as US Marshal Teddy Daniels, sent to a remote island to investigate a disappearance at an asylum.
Earlier, in 1991, he also had a role in Critters 3, a film about tiny fur aliens that wreak havoc on an apartment building.