Leonardo DiCaprio almost turned down Gilbert Grape for Hocus Pocus

Released at Christmas 1993, this drama marked the start of the career of the future star of Titanic. Flashback.

Did you know that Leonardo DiCaprio had almost played the young hero of Hocus Pocus ? At the end of 2013, just after the release – and success – of Wolf of Wall Street, he multiplied the interviews, while waiting for the Oscars, and during an interview at Variety, he returned in detail to the notable roles in his filmography. Leo then revealed that he had almost refused the drama that really launched his career, Gilbert GrapeFor Hocus Pocus.

This achievement of Lasse Hallström celebrates its thirtieth anniversary today: although it was only released in France in the spring of 1994, it was offered to the American public right for Christmas 1993. Johnny Depp plays Leo’s big brother, who despite himself has become the head of the family, his morbidly obese mother being incapable of taking care of her children, in particular her mentally handicapped son.

This role earned DiCaprio his first Oscar nomination, in 1994, at just 19 years old. He had already appeared in the TV series What’s up Doc, and in a few films (the horrific Critters 3 and the drama Secret wounds with Robert DeNiro), but it is truly Gilbert Grape which propelled him to the forefront, a few years before the success of Basketball Diaries, Romeo + Juliet And Titanic.

“I was offered a lot of money to do Hocus Pocus and honestly, I don’t know where I found the courage to refuse, admitted the actor. It’s difficult when everyone keeps telling you that you can make a ton of money by signing on for a film. I am proud today to have been a young man who said no to a big production and who took responsibility for this choice.”

A decision which ultimately paid off over time, sinceHocus Pocus did not launch the career of his young actor, Omri Katz, which fell into obscurity shortly after its release. However, at the box office, Hocus Pocus had brought in $30 million more than Gilbert Grape, an indie production which was defended by critics and made the rounds at Hollywood ceremonies. Leo then became a hit thanks to Titanic, then saw the main role of American Psycho pass under his nose, before multiplying roles with Martin Scorsese or Quentin Tarantino. However, he had to wait until 2016 to receive his first Oscar for the Revenant.

The trailer for Gilbert Grape :

Leonardo DiCaprio: “I want my films to be events”