During a conversation for Esquire<\/a> with acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, DiCaprio opened up about the one missed role that still haunts him: the lead in 1997\u2019s “Boogie Nights” that ultimately went to Mark Wahlberg.<\/p>\n In the interview, Anderson, who directed the film, asked DiCaprio about any regrets he has about his career, and he answered, “I\u2019ll say it even though you\u2019re here: My biggest regret is not doing \u2018Boogie Nights.’ It was a profound movie of my generation. I can\u2019t imagine anyone but Mark [Wahlberg] in it. When I finally got to see that movie, I just thought it was a masterpiece.”<\/p>\n LEONARDO DICAPRIO\u2019S GIRLFRIEND, 26, ADMITS ONE \u2018EXTREMELY ANNOYING\u2019 PART OF DATING FAMOUS ACTOR<\/a><\/p>\n Leonardo DiCaprio on the cover of Esquire. (Esquire\/Paul Thomas Anderson)<\/p>\n As he acknowledged the irony of sharing his biggest Hollywood regret with the director behind the film, DiCaprio added<\/a>, “It\u2019s ironic that you\u2019re the person asking that question, but it\u2019s true.”<\/p>\n “Boogie Nights” went on to earn critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations, as it launched Wahlberg\u2019s acting career and further solidified Anderson\u2019s place in the industry.<\/p>\n Leonardo DiCaprio regrets not taking this one Hollywood role. (Esquire\/Paul Thomas Anderson)<\/p>\n Wahlberg previously reflected on the film\u2019s legacy, confessing in 2017 that he hoped “God is a movie fan and also forgiving<\/a>, because I’ve made some poor choices in my past. \u2018Boogie Nights\u2019 is up there at the top of the list.”<\/p>\n LIKE WHAT YOU\u2019RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n Actor Mark Wahlberg on the set of the movie “Boogie Nights,” circa 1997. (Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n He later clarified the comments to People, explaining, “I was sitting in front of a couple of thousand kids talking about and trying to encourage them to come back to their faith, and I was just saying that I just hope He has a sense of humor because I maybe made some decisions that may not be OK with him.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Wahlberg has insinuated in the past that he regrets taking the role in “Boogie Nights.” (Getty Images)<\/p>\n The married father of four was additionally asked at the time if he would take on a similar role if offered. Unfortunately for fans of “Boogie Nights,” he said that it probably wouldn\u2019t make his wife, Rhea Durham<\/a>, or their kids very happy.<\/p>\n Set in the heart of California\u2019s San Fernando Valley in 1977, “Boogie Nights” follows Eddie Adams, Wahlberg\u2019s character, a teenage busboy whose life takes a dramatic turn when he\u2019s discovered by porn director Jack Horner, played by Burt Reynolds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Under Horner\u2019s wing, Eddie is reborn as adult film star Dirk Diggler \u2014 a character whose rise and fall exposes the dark underbelly of the industry and the price of fame.<\/p>\n DiCaprio is gearing up for the release of his film “One Battle After Another,” set to be released this September.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Leonardo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/leonardo-dicarpio-dark-green-shirt-scaled.jpg\")
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