Christian Bale stars in David O. Russell’s “Amsterdam,” in theaters this weekend, the latest film of the actor’s illustrious career. And what a career it is. Bale is undoubtedly one of this generation’s most in-demand, top acting talents, excellent in anything from blockbusters like “Thor: Love & Thunder” to more independent fare like Todd Haynes’ “Velvet Goldmine” or Scott Cooper’s “Out Of The Furnace.” But according to Bale, there’s a secret influence to the career he’s had so far, and it’s none other than arguably the best film actor in Hollywood: Leonardo DiCaprio.
In Bale’s recent cover story with GQ, the actor detailed how DiCaprio is always the favorite for any role Bale eventually signs to. After GQ mentioned that DiCaprio was originally cast as Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho,” a seminal role of Bale’s, among other films, Bale said that every actor in Hollywood deals with the industry’s Leo favoritism. “Oh, dude. It’s not just me,” he told GQ. “Look, to this day, any role that anybody gets; it’s only because he’s passed on it beforehand. It doesn’t matter what anyone tells you.” Another role Bale lost to DiCaprio earlier in his career? “Titanic,” which became DiCaprio’s breakout role as an actor.
Bale’s comments may be in good fun, but he also stressed how common it is for him to discover that directors wanted Leo for the part before him. “It doesn’t matter how friendly you are with the directors,” he continued. “All those people that I’ve worked with multiple times, they all offered every one of those roles to him first. Right? I had one of those people actually tell me that. So, thank you, Leo, because literally, he gets to choose everything he does. And good for him, he’s phenomenal.”
One wonders what other roles DiCaprio turned down before Bale got the part. Perhaps Ken Miles in “Ford V. Ferrari”? That doesn’t feel like a Leo part, though. Maybe Michael Burry in Adam McKay’s “The Big Short,” since McKay worked with DiCaprio on his next film, “Don’t Look Up.” An unlikely role that Leo turned down? Gorr The God Butcher in “Thor: Love & Thunder” because Leo doesn’t like superhero movies.
One thing that hasn’t happened yet? Bale and DiCaprio starring in a movie together. Maybe that will put an end to this friendly rivalry. “Amsterdam” is in theaters now.
