Leonardo DiCaprio (Part 3)

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11 Feb 2024

Leonardo DiCaprio (Part 3)

In 2010, DiCaprio reunited with Martin Scorsese for the psychological thriller "Shutter Island," based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. In the film, DiCaprio portrayed Edward "Teddy" Daniels, a U.S. Marshal investigating a psychiatric facility on a remote island who grapples with his own sanity. DiCaprio and Scorsese were drawn to the project as early as 2007, with DiCaprio co-producing the film through his company, Appian Way, in collaboration with Phoenix Pictures.

During the intense and disturbing filming process, DiCaprio reportedly experienced nightmares about mass murder and found solace in spending time with friends as a form of therapy. Despite the challenging subject matter, DiCaprio delivered what some critics considered to be one of his most haunting and emotionally complex performances to date. Peter Travers praised his portrayal, particularly highlighting the emotional intensity of his scenes with co-star Patricia Clarkson.

"Shutter Island" received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Scorsese's direction and the performances while others criticized the twist ending. However, the film proved to be a commercial success, grossing $294 million worldwide against a budget of $80 million. DiCaprio's continued collaboration with Scorsese showcased his versatility as an actor and his willingness to explore complex and psychologically demanding roles.

In 2010, DiCaprio delivered a memorable performance in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed science-fiction thriller "Inception." In the film, DiCaprio portrayed Dom Cobb, an "extractor" who specializes in entering the dreams of others to extract valuable information. Intrigued by the concept of a "dream-heist" and the complexities of manipulating dreams to impact reality, DiCaprio was drawn to the role. Despite taking a pay cut from his usual fee, opting instead for a share in first-dollar gross points, DiCaprio's gamble paid off handsomely, as the film became his second highest-grossing film and earned him his highest payday to date.

The following year, DiCaprio took on the challenging role of J. Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood's biographical drama "J. Edgar" (2011). The film delves into the life and career of the controversial FBI director, exploring both his professional achievements and his private struggles, including rumors about his sexuality. While the film received mixed reviews overall, DiCaprio's performance was widely praised for its depth and nuance, with critics commending his ability to humanize a complex historical figure.

Also in 2011, DiCaprio expanded his role behind the scenes as a producer, with projects like Catherine Hardwicke's "Red Riding Hood" and George Clooney's "The Ides of March." While "Red Riding Hood" received negative reviews, "The Ides of March" was met with critical acclaim.
In 2012, DiCaprio showcased his versatility once again in Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained." Portraying the ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie, DiCaprio embraced the challenging role, despite initial discomfort with the film's depiction of racism. His performance earned him widespread praise, with critics commending his ability to portray a chilling villain. "Django Unchained" was a commercial success, further solidifying DiCaprio's reputation as one of Hollywood's most versatile and bankable stars.

In January 2013, DiCaprio announced his intention to take a hiatus from acting to focus on environmental activism. However, despite this announcement, he remained active in the film industry that year, with four releases both as an actor and a producer.
His first role of the year was as the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel "The Great Gatsby." While the film received mixed reviews overall, DiCaprio's portrayal of Gatsby was widely praised, earning him the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Critics lauded his performance for its depth and complexity, with some even hailing it as one of his career-best roles. Despite mixed critical reception, the film performed well at the box office, grossing over three times its budget.

Additionally, in 2013, DiCaprio produced three films under his production company Appian Way. These included the crime thriller "Runner Runner," which received negative reviews and was commercially unsuccessful, the thriller "Out of the Furnace," which also underperformed at the box office, and the critically acclaimed black comedy-drama "The Wolf of Wall Street."
In "The Wolf of Wall Street," directed by Martin Scorsese, DiCaprio portrayed the infamous stockbroker Jordan Belfort. DiCaprio was drawn to the project after reading Belfort's autobiography and was determined to bring his story to the screen. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise directed towards DiCaprio's performance.

Critics applauded his portrayal of Belfort's unapologetic and charismatic persona, showcasing his versatility as an actor. DiCaprio's performance earned him numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, as well as nominations for BAFTA and Academy Awards for Best Actor. Despite controversy surrounding its depiction of excess and debauchery, "The Wolf of Wall Street" was a commercial success, further cementing DiCaprio's status as one of Hollywood's leading actors.