A popular actor like Leonardo DiCaprio certainly needs no introduction. Active on the big screen since the early 1990s, winner of countless awards, including the Oscar for Best Actor for "The Revenant" in 2016, and the protagonist of historic collaborations with filmmakers of the caliber of James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, and—of course—Martin Scorsese, the Hollywood star has over the years built a public image capable of alternating the profile of sex symbol—and incurable womanizer—with that of activist committed to awareness campaigns on biodiversity and climate change.

He recently returned to the spotlight after purchasing Guafo Island in Chile for $20 million, with the goal of preserving its ecosystem from the threats of exploitation and deforestation resulting from mining and other potentially harmful industrial activities. The investment was made by the environmental foundation Re:wild, co-founded by DiCaprio himself, with the aim of transforming the area into a national park and donating it to the Chilean government to ensure its long-term conservation.

For the occasion, the star shared the following message on her Instagram profile: "Guafo Island is a place of crucial importance for global biodiversity and the health of our planet. Protecting it means safeguarding the species that inhabit it and preserving this extraordinary ecosystem for future generations."

Ready to return to the big screen with "Boogie Nights," directed by master Paul Thomas Anderson and due in theaters on September 25th, DiCaprio was recently interviewed alongside the director by Esquire on the occasion of the film's release, also revealing some long-undisclosed details about his career. Recalling his biggest regret, the actor admitted that he still regrets turning down a part in "Boogie Nights," considered a cult classic and one of Anderson's most accomplished films. Addressing the director directly, he stated: "It's funny you should ask me that. My biggest regret is not making Boogie Nights. It was a profound film for my generation. I can't imagine anyone but Mark Wahlberg in it. When I finally got to see it, I thought it was a masterpiece."

With the relief of someone who finally realizes the dream of collaborating with a filmmaker he greatly admires, he added: “I know Battle After Battle has been on your desk for a long time. For you, it was a personal story in many ways and certainly connected to the world we live in today. But ultimately, wanting to make this film was pretty simple: I'd wanted to work with you, Paul, for about twenty years, and I liked the idea of a failed revolutionary trying to erase his past, disappear, and try to live a normal life while raising his daughter.”

On the same occasion, DiCaprio also paid tribute to Adam Somner, the historic first assistant director who passed away in 2024 and quickly became a Hollywood powerhouse: "There was no one like him. He always pushed himself to make every detail work, and it was magical to watch him in action."

Reflecting on the possibility of attempting a project behind the camera for the first time, the actor recalled his experiences working alongside top directors, before admitting that it would simply be too demanding for him: "It allowed me to observe you or someone like Marty managing departments, creative decisions, and all kinds of questions. I realized that it's not something I want to do. I spend hours thinking about how to deliver a line. If I were to direct, I'd end up getting bogged down in too much responsibility."

Finally, revealing which of the many films she's starred in she still enjoys revisiting, Scorsese's "The Aviator" holds a special place. Explaining that, from that moment on, her career took a significant leap, the star emphasized that for the first time, she felt like an integral part of the creative process, rather than just a performer at the director's beck and call. Her active participation in the production and her passionate exploration of Howard Hughes' character certainly contributed to the film's excellent reception, which at the 2005 Oscars received eleven nominations, including Best Actor and Best Director. This achievement is certainly not easily forgotten and fully explains the actor's special connection to the film.

© Riproduzione riservata