Leonardo DiCaprio Hates Sci-Fi, But Starred In Nolan’s $828M Masterpiece—Here’s Why

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This actor, now 50, is widely recognized as one of the best working in cinema today, boasting a career filled with outstanding performances that span for decades. He first catapulted into the limelight with an unforgettable portrayal in the film Titanic. His discerning choice in projects has made him an attractive prospect for studios. Notably, Martin Scorsese is one director with whom he has frequently collaborated, with six films serving as proof of their long-standing partnership.

Leonardo DiCaprio has appeared in movies directed by renowned filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Baz Luhrmann, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Ridley Scott, and many more. Notably, he collaborated with Christopher Nolan on the 2010 release of Inception, a film that remains one of Nolan’s masterpieces. Interestingly, although DiCaprio is selective about his projects, it seems that the actor isn’t particularly fond of the genre in which Inception falls.

Sci-Fi Is One of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Least Favorite Genres

Apart from collaborating with some legendary film directors, Leonardo DiCaprio is widely recognized in Hollywood for the broad spectrum of films he’s chosen to star in. This versatile actor has made a name for himself by working across various movie genres, such as westerns and biographies. Interestingly, DiCaprio has ventured into science fiction too, although it seems that this might be an occasional preference due to his admitted reservations about the genre.

Leonardo DiCaprio expressed a slight reluctance towards science fiction since he finds it challenging to connect emotionally with distant worlds. However, he appreciates Chris Nolan’s sci-fi universe because it’s grounded in familiar elements such as cultural references and a tangible feel that we can relate to. This makes it easier for us to immerse ourselves in. Emotionally, he treated the storyline as if it were real, because if not, one wouldn’t care about the character or their journey. This is crucial for audience engagement, as believability hinges on our investment.

Leo DiCaprio’s reluctance to star in science fiction films is primarily due to his personal connection with the fantastical settings commonly associated with this genre. Like horror, science fiction doesn’t immediately garner Oscar buzz, but exceptions like Alien, The Terminator, The Matrix, Dune: Part Two, Avatar, and others have successfully defied this common perception shared by DiCaprio and many others in the industry.

Leonardo DiCaprio Previously Starred in a Sci-Fi Film, and It’s One of His Best

Highest Rated Leonardo DiCaprio Films on Rotten Tomatoes
#5: Titanic – 88%
#4: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape – 90%
#3: The Departed – 91%
#2: Killers of the Flower Moon – 93%
#1: Catch Me If You Can – 96%

Despite DiCaprio typically avoiding sci-fi roles due to their difficulty, Christopher Nolan managed to persuade him for the movie “Inception.” This film explores dream worlds and triggers a sequence of heists, with DiCaprio’s character Cobb leading the way. “Inception” combines elements from various genres, including action, thriller, romance, and sci-fi. According to DiCaprio, Nolan’s unique approach appealed to him because it remains grounded in our own reality. Throughout his career, Nolan has ventured into the realm of science fiction with films like “Inception,” “Interstellar,” and “Tenet,” always striving to adhere closely to real-world science to create a more convincing experience for viewers.

In a similar vein, Nolan handled the superhero genre in a consistent manner. Notably, Nolan isn’t known for his extravagant directing style; instead, a significant aspect of his craftsmanship is found in the understated design of the settings and the authenticity they convey. Interestingly, DiCaprio doesn’t often star in films that delve as deeply into fantasy as “Inception”. Given Nolan’s clever filmmaking, it’s not unexpected that he would attract DiCaprio to a new genre. What is surprising, however, is that other directors haven’t been able to persuade DiCaprio to take on another sci-fi role, not only due to “Inception”‘s success, but also because of directors like Ridley Scott, who have approached the genre in ways similar to Nolan.

Leonardo DiCaprio Nearly Starred in a Major Sci-Fi Franchise He’s a Fan Of

Besides starring in the blockbuster movie “Inception,” one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s top-earning films, it’s quite unexpected that he dislikes the genre, considering his deep affection for a popular sci-fi series often referred to as a major franchise. Over time, it has been revealed that DiCaprio is an ardent admirer of “Star Wars,” with photos dating back to 1999 showing him buying a whole cartload of merchandise close to the release of “The Phantom Menace.” In more recent times, DiCaprio has made efforts to convert his co-stars into fans of the series, notably Jonah Hill and “The Mandalorian.

Previously, I had a personal policy: If something wasn’t happening or couldn’t happen, I wouldn’t care because my attention would wander. However, while working with Leo on ‘Don’t Look Up’, he convinced me to watch ‘The Mandalorian’. It was adorable to see Baby Yoda, but since I didn’t understand the context, it didn’t hold my interest.” – Jonah Hill on.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Leonardo DiCaprio almost became part of the Star Wars universe years ago, as George Lucas reportedly wanted him for the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, which would have catapulted Hayden Christensen to fame. With actors like Jude Law and Ryan Gosling now appearing in Star Wars films, there’s a possibility that DiCaprio could join the franchise in the future, given his apparent affinity for it.

15 years ago, Leonardo DiCaprio and Christopher Nolan teamed up to create one of the finest original films of the 21st century – “Inception”. Their collective stardom propelled the movie to great heights. “Inception” earned a staggering $828 million globally at the box office, demonstrating that Nolan was not just a director known for Batman movies; he now has free rein over his projects. To this day, DiCaprio is still one of the most coveted actors in Hollywood, and “Inception” remains his highest-grossing film, surpassed only by the record-breaking “Titanic”.

Lately, Leo DiCaprio has avoided science fiction movies, but his role in Inception marked his debut in this genre and was highly successful. Since then, DiCaprio has been selective about the films he chooses to participate in, often preferring period dramas or realistic settings. His next film, One Battle After Another, is due out soon. Given his impressive performance in Inception, let’s hope he overcomes his aversion to science fiction and returns to the genre in the future. DiCaprio has expressed that he isn’t fond of hard science fiction that blurs the line with fantasy, but he does enjoy Star Wars. The sci-fi genre is currently thriving, with Dune: Part Two being a recent example of a film that could potentially earn widespread acclaim. DiCaprio’s diverse choices in genres and roles have made him a standout among his contemporaries, so it’s possible that another science fiction movie could be in his future as long as it maintains a sense of realism.

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2025-07-06 00:51