DiCaprio Confesses He Never Watched Titanic, Reflects on a Career Shaped by the Iconic Film

Leonardo DiCaprio has never seen the blockbuster that launched his career. In a candid interview with CNN and Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series on Dec. 17, the 51‑year‑old admitted, “I haven’t seen it before.” He added, “I don’t really watch my films.” His co‑star, Jennifer Lawrence, 35, who likewise says she rarely watches her own work, replied, “I bet you could watch it now, it’s so good.”

The Titanic Effect

DiCaprio was just 22 when James Cameron’s 1997 drama “Titanic” hit theaters. In a 2016 interview with Deadline, he reflected on the film’s meteoric rise: “People said, ‘Do you realize how big of a movie this is?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it’s big. It’s a big movie.’ They’re like, ‘No. No. No, it’s the biggest movie ever.’” The success of the 3‑hour‑15‑minute epic gave him the leverage to pursue more experimental projects.

Using Fame to Break Rules

He explained that the newfound status allowed him to “forge by then exactly what type of films I wanted to do.” DiCaprio used his reputation as a blessing to take on R‑rated, unconventional roles, saying he could “throw the dice a little bit on things I wanted to act in.” He noted that studios were now willing to finance such projects, something he had never been able to do before Titanic.

A Regret That Shaped a Career

The only lingering regret he mentioned was missing the opportunity to star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut, “Boogie Nights,” which also premiered in 1997. Earlier this year, DiCaprio told Deadline, “The dilemma for me at that point, was, of course, I would’ve loved to have done both movies, but it just couldn’t happen at that moment.”

A Dream Realized: One Battle After Another

Nearly three decades later, DiCaprio finally stepped into a role he had long coveted. At the September premiere of Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” he told E! News, “Paul’s been tinkering around with the story for 20 years.” He described the film as “an unpredictable odyssey” filled with “deceptive characters” and “interesting layers.” Despite its action‑comedy tone, he emphasized the core narrative: “It’s this insane sort of action comedy that has so many incredible actors but the heart of it is about a father trying to get back to his daughter.”

Kate Winslet’s Reflection

Alongside DiCaprio’s journey, Kate Winslet shared her experience of rising to fame after her first Oscar nomination at 19. She recounted behind‑the‑scenes moments from “Titanic,” a set malfunction, her work with Jack Black in “The Holiday,” and inspiration from a female figure in her latest film, “Lee.”

Key Takeaways

• DiCaprio has never watched Titanic, despite its pivotal role in his career.
• The film’s success allowed him to pursue unconventional, R‑rated projects.
• He regrets missing “Boogie Nights,” a role he could not accept at the time.
• He finally stars in Paul Thomas Anderson’s long‑awaited film, focusing on a father‑daughter reunion.
• Kate Winslet reflects on her early rise to fame and memorable film moments.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s story reminds us that even the most iconic films can remain unseen, yet their influence can shape a career in unexpected ways.