Leonardo DiCaprio Comments On Very Nearly Playing James Cameron's SPIDER-MAN

Leonardo DiCaprio Comments On Very Nearly Playing James Cameron's SPIDER-MAN

Back when James Cameron was developing a Spider-Man movie, Leonardo DiCaprio was thought to be the actor that the director wanted to take on the role of the wall-crawler. Now, the actor has weighed in on just how close he came to being the first big screen Peter Parker...

By JoshWilding - Dec 30, 2015 04:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Spider-Man
Source: Empire Magazine (via Spider-Man News)
Spider-Man made his big screen debut thanks to Sam Raimi, but had things played out a little differently, we'd have James Cameron to thank (hate?) for bringing the wall-crawler to life in a movie of his own. The filmmaker's take on the character certainly sounded unique anyway, especially as it would have had very little in common with the source material (oh, and Arnold Schwarzenegger was being eyed for the role of Otto Octavius). However, its saving grace was the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio was being lined up to play Peter Parker. However, just how close did that come to happening? "Not very close, but there was a screenplay," The Revenant star revealed in a recent interview with Empire Magazine (via Spider-Man News). "I know he was semi-serious about doing it at some point, but I don't remember any further talks about it. We had a couple of chats. I think there was a screenplay that I read, but I don't remember. This was 20 years ago!"
 
Whether or not DiCaprio will ever play a superhero remains to be seen, but it seems unlikely that he'll ever get another chance to suit up as Spider-Man at this stage. Where would you like to see him show up? The Marvel Cinematic Universe or the DC Extended Universe? Sound off below.
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Gandressmex
Gandressmex - 12/30/2015, 4:28 PM
Dicaprio is an awesome actor and he doesnt need an oscar to prove it but one day seeing him in a superhero film would be amazing.!
AT3374
AT3374 - 12/30/2015, 4:29 PM
Maxwell Lord
BestAtWhatIDo
BestAtWhatIDo - 12/30/2015, 4:30 PM
That script was [frick]ing terrible - but Cameron did write an earlier treatment with an original character that was like Electro as the villain that was good. It was a, to use an unfortunate cliche, "grittier" take on the material, but it still had a sense of fun about it.

I think the most infamous bit from that treatment is the webbing/masturbation metaphor scene.
BestAtWhatIDo
BestAtWhatIDo - 12/30/2015, 4:31 PM
I would have loved to see Leo as Lex Luthor - someone who oozes charisma and has an undeniable charm, hiding real menace. Good thing they got Jesse Eisenberg . . . right?
fanDomX
fanDomX - 12/30/2015, 4:38 PM
Read an article around that same time ( can't remember what mag ) that Cameron was actually thinking of doing a Spider-Man 2099 with Jean-Claude Vann Damme. Any one else ever come across that piece?
SuperCat
SuperCat - 12/30/2015, 4:41 PM
SpaceGhost77
SpaceGhost77 - 12/30/2015, 4:42 PM


dapug88
dapug88 - 12/30/2015, 4:45 PM
I think Leo would be great in the DC universe as a villain of some sort. Don't know exactly who but he would be awesome in a villain role.
MovieMonster
MovieMonster - 12/30/2015, 4:51 PM
James Cameron claims that Spider-Man is his favorite superhero. If that's the case, I wonder why he made so many changes to the story in his script. I've read some of it and it started off pretty interesting and then it just got weird. Peter is really angsty in Jim's script and I think Leo has the skills of an actor to pull that off had he been casted.
Minghagz
Minghagz - 12/30/2015, 4:58 PM
The Revenant looks so [frick]ing good! I can't wait to see it this weekend!
Mrcool210
Mrcool210 - 12/30/2015, 5:02 PM
"We had a couple of chats."

" However, just how close did that come to happening? "Not very close"

Well then, Sure as hell doesn't sound to me like "Leonardo DiCaprio Commented On Very Nearly Playing James Cameron's SPIDER-MAN" Sounds to me like you're exaggerating, Click Bait Click Bait, Where would Josh be without you?

Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 12/30/2015, 5:06 PM
This was the one with the businessman who stumbles into a hydro plant and becomes Electro, no?
KaneVonDoom
KaneVonDoom - 12/30/2015, 5:13 PM
James Cameron can take the fun out of nearly any story and make it seem slightly out of touch while also one upping itself at every turn.
LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 12/30/2015, 5:27 PM
Leo needs to play Hush....perfect to oppose Affleck
LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 12/30/2015, 5:28 PM
And I always wonder what his take on Joker would be...
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 12/30/2015, 6:03 PM
Holy Jesus @SuperCat
That's got to be your best one in a while.
marvel72
marvel72 - 12/30/2015, 6:04 PM
Leonardo DiCaprio as Peter Parker AKA Spider-Man? I don't think so,not even in his younger days.
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 12/30/2015, 6:04 PM
Now I really wish they made a Bioshock DLC where you get to play as Leo's character from Titanic
Doppleganger
Doppleganger - 12/30/2015, 6:04 PM
First time I heard this as from what I remembered twenty years ago it was actually pretty Schwarzenegger that was offered the role of spider man
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 12/30/2015, 6:05 PM
One of his powers would be summoning a naked Kate Winslet to stun enemies. And another power would be summoning a naked Old Lady Kate Winslet to make them run away in terror.
JSamueliaml8
JSamueliaml8 - 12/30/2015, 6:07 PM
The Revenant is amazing. Tom Hardy stole it for me, but Leo did great as well.

Don't really see Leo in a superhero flick tho.
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 12/30/2015, 6:07 PM
And you could only buy the ultimate "KING OF THE WORLD" power-up for $200,000
supermarioworldE
supermarioworldE - 12/30/2015, 6:11 PM
There seems to be an abundance of non news today.
sKeemAn
sKeemAn - 12/30/2015, 6:36 PM
@supercat that gifs speaks volumes.
BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 12/30/2015, 6:42 PM
Leo should play a villain in a Spider-Man movie.
Thanoice
Thanoice - 12/30/2015, 6:43 PM
BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 12/30/2015, 7:01 PM
@dethpillow

I can't think of any atm. My fan picks are McConaughey for Norman Osborn, Hugh Jackman as Kraven, and Cillian Murphy as Carnage.
MediaMan
MediaMan - 12/30/2015, 7:04 PM
The summary of the Cameron Spidey script I read was terrible. Changed the basic story almost beyond recognition. The version I read had Doc Ock as the villain. I saw a report about another version some time later that was clearly different, & appeared to be better.

All that said, Leo would be a great Peter Parker. Or would have been, back in the day.
loki668
loki668 - 12/30/2015, 7:10 PM
This movie would have been awful......................................................................and made a billion dollars.
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