Posted on 07/29/2010 3:55:40 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Leonardo DiCaprio is withdrawing from a Mel Gibson-directed flick about vikings in the wake of the domestic abuse scandal, RadarOnline.com has exclusively confirmed.
Not a chance, said a source, close to the Inception star, when asked if he was still planning to star in Gibsons next project.
The decision is a major setback for the Oscar-winning actor/director, who is facing allegations of domestic abuse and child endangerment.
It also lends support to critics who are suggesting Mel wont be able to recover from the Oksana Grigorieva scandal.
Oksana, 40, has accused Gibson, 54, of punching her in the face twice as she held their infant daughter Lucia during a domestic dispute at his Malibu mansion on January 6.
After allegedly hitting Oksana on the head and mouth, she has claimed, Mel then choked her.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department detectives are investigating the allegation along with Mels claim that Oksana tried to extort him with threats of a scandal.
Mel was interviewed on Sunday but refused to answer questions about the incident, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Mels profane-laced rants, recorded by Oksana and obtained by RadarOnline.com, are laced with racial slurs -- including the N-word -- and demands for repeated sexual favors.
The viking film was to be DiCaprios first picture with Mel.
A source close to DiCaprio said the star, who is currently basking in the release of his wildly acclaimed box-office topping movie Inception, did not want to risk his reputation, with being associated with Mel.
Leo has earned the right to pick and choose who he works with and Mel Gibson is not one of them, the source added.
The as-yet untitled project is being produced by Graham King and Mels Icon Productions.
Variety had previously reported DiCaprio had long been fascinated by Viking culture and was poised to play one in a storyline that will be as unsparing as Mels other hit period directing efforts, Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto.
Before DiCaprios withdrawal, shooting was slated to begin in fall 2010.
Comment is being sought from DiCaprio.
What a shame, if that child serial rapist Roman Polanski ever came to the States to make a movie the Hollywood hypocrites would line up to be in it. Since Mel is a religious conservative he gets persecuted.
His crime is not domestic abuse...he is still being punished for having the temerity to film The Passion of Christ.
Well...breaks my heart.../s
There is NO CHANCE I would see a Leonerdo DiCaprio movie regardless of who directed it.
Now there is a chance I’ll see me’s Viking movie since it won’t be starring a sissy with a barely visible goatee to somehow make him look older or more manly or something...
I had a bit of a hard time believing him in the Departed as well. Everyone else in the Irish gang just seemed so much harder.
I think he's more angry with himself that he got caught up with her. Mel's one of the good guys.
Leonardo has only had one good scene in his entire career, when he drowned in “Titanic.”
I think Mel must have multiple personalities.
She had a real hate for him. I was stunned as I'm a Catholic.
I don't think he was right for the role anyway.
And please spare us a battle-ax wielding ingenue.
RE: Leonardo has only had one good scene in his entire career, when he drowned in Titanic.
What about the part when he was shot dead in the Oscar Winning film by Martin Scorsese — THE DEPARTED ?
And guess what....most folks going through breakups argue and swear and call each other names...It's really pretty damn normal.
Walking out on his wife of 28 years hasn't really helped Mel's "religious conservative" image.
Mel only needs to look in the mirror to see the man who has caused all his troubles.
I’m glad he’s leaving.
They’re gonna need a man to play a Viking.
Mr. DiCaprio has had plenty of opportunities to work with Roman Polanski. As far as I can tell, he hasn't.
ROFL!
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