Is it really a surprise that one of the most memorable scenes in Leonardo DiCaprio's illustrious acting career came during a Martin Scorsese film? Or that it involved Jack Nicholson and an otherwise star-studded cast? Or that it was a movie produced by Brad Pitt himself?
Yeah, Leonardo has many claims to fame, and it's mostly due to his hard work as an actor. In fact, his journey started a long time ago with one specific thing he did to prepare for the small and big screens.
But his most memorable film moment wasn't on set of 'Titanic' nor was it in his breakout movie 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape.' Instead, Leo has said that the most striking moment of his career was a scene with Jack Nicholson in 'The Departed.'
Of course, it could have been Al Pacino acting alongside DiCaprio, but that didn't really work out. Not saying Al made a mistake, but what's with actors turning down the chance to share the set with Leo? Even Kate Winslet turned down an opportunity to reunite with DiCaprio in another film.
Anyway, as it turned out, Leo played the role of Billy Costigan Jr. while Jack portrayed Frank Costello. And as Netflix recapped, notes Republic World, Leo says that one notable scene was "one of the most memorable moments of my life."
The scene features Costello and Costigan sitting at a table together, talking about the informant in their midst. Leo, as Costigan, threatens Jack's character Frank, because Frank is essentially saying he'll snuff out anyone who causes trouble for him.
In a short yet impassioned speech, Billy stands up for himself. But then Frank reaches under the table, pulls out his weapon, and starts waving it around. Billy, visibly shaken — yas, Leo! — backtracks.
The entire movie was basically a masterpiece, which isn't surprising given the star-studded cast. It is a bit ironic, though, that Leo called his moment with Jack Nicholson a memorable one. It was two guys sitting in a bar, right? But that explains why half the film's budget — according to Republic World — was spent on the cast's salaries. The price was $90 million to round out the cast with Leo, Jack, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin.
'The Departed' even won Martin Scorsese his first Oscar for directing, noted CheatSheet. No wonder it ranks so highly in Leo's book. Of course, the actor, who is so chill he doesn't even need bodyguards, admitted that Jack "terrified" him on set.
Leo elaborated at a press conference, said CheatSheet, that "There were a number of different scenes where I had no idea what was going to happen... It gives you, I don’t want to say as an actor a sense of fear, but as a character a whole new dynamic... As a human being as a person, there were some memories that I will never forget."