The Leo DiCaprio interview

 
Any truth in that?
The truth of the matter is, there was a period of time, very early on, when I started watching films and having heroes in the industry, actor-wise. But I feel I’ve been consistent about my dreams and what I wanted to be as an actor.
 
Did that include playing Robin in Batman Forever? There’s a rumour you screen-tested for it...
I never screen-tested. I had a meeting with Joel Schumacher. It was just one meeting and, no, I didn’t end up doing it.
 
Did you actually want the role?
Er, I don’t think I did, no [laughs]. As I recall I took the meeting, but didn’t want to play the role. Joel Schumacher is a very talented director but I don’t think I was ready for anything like that.
 
Do you feel like you dodged a bullet?
[Laughs.]
 
Were you in talks to play Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels?
I did have a meeting with George Lucas about that as well, yes.
 
What happened?
Same scenario [laughs].
 
He wanted you, but you didn’t fancy it?
Um, right. Exactly.
 
Why?
Again, just didn’t feel ready to take that dive. At that point.
 
How close did you come to playing Spider-Man before your friend Tobey Maguire took the part?
Er, that was another one of those situations, similar to Robin, where I didn’t feel ready to put on that suit yet. They got in touch with me.
 
Would you like to play a superhero?
You never know. You never know. They’re getting better and better as far as complex characters in these movies. I haven’t yet. But no, I don’t rule out anything.

Your new film Inception, by Chris Nolan, is pretty mindblowing. How highly do you rate Nolan?
Only one or two other filmmakers would be able to accomplish this film. It’s certainly not something you come across very often. And it really is all Chris Nolan.