In an interview with The Short List, Leonardo DiCaprio confirmed that he turned the role of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, as well as Robin in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever, and the titular role in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Leo has a history of great choices when it comes to his roles, and this further emphasises his good decision making.
There’s a rumour you screen-tested for [Batman Forever].
I never screen-tested. I had a meeting with Joel Schumacher. It was just one meeting and, no, I didn’t end up doing it.
Did you actually want the role?
Er, I don’t think I did, no (laughs). As I recall I took the meeting, but didn’t want to play the role. Joel Schumacher is a very talented director but I don’t think I was ready for anything like that.
Do you feel like you dodged a bullet?
(Laughs.)
Were you in talks to play Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels?
I did have a meeting with George Lucas about that as well, yes.
What happened?
Same scenario (laughs).
He wanted you, but you didn’t fancy it?
Um, right. Exactly.
Why?
Again, just didn’t feel ready to take that dive. At that point.
How close did you come to playing Spider-Man before your friend Tobey Maguire took the part?
Er, that was another one of those situations, similar to Robin, where I didn’t feel ready to put on that suit yet. They got in touch with me.