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 Gibson’s 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 won’t 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 Mel’s 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.
Mel’s 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 DiCaprio’s 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 Mel’s 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 Mel’s other hit period directing efforts, Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto.
Before DiCaprio’s withdrawal, shooting was slated to begin in fall 2010.
Comment is being sought from DiCaprio.
LLS
I don’t see DiCaprio as a Viking, no muscles.
DiCaprio sucked as a tough guy in Gangs of New York...his “Viking” image would be laughable...this is Hollywood’s version of a tough guy? Shite on him...>>>>>>>
Exactly why I avoid his movies and Tom Hanks too. These two test much better with women than men....Same as Obama
He is a racist, and the son of a racist, and the believer in wacky racial conspiracy theories. What he “blurts out” is what he believes in his wacky skull. I don't know anybody who is only a few beers away from being a 9-11 truther, you either are or you are not. The ‘he was drunk’ or ‘didn't mean it’ excuse is wearing thin.
But if you have decided he is “one of the good guys” I guess he can do and say whatever he wants, eh?
I had that same thought!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good on ya!
LLS
How do you know Polanski “is his hero”?
Are you basing your “Hollyweird is total trash” comment on this made up fact?
Seriously, knock DiCaprio for his environmental wacko beliefs.
Knock him on his looks or talent if that is your opinion.
But to state something that as far as I know has no truth to it is wrong.
“Doom on em all !”???? Really?
Doom on the good people who work in the industry. The people who keep their mouths shut and put together entertaining pieces of work?
These blanket statements look just as bad coming from conservatives as they do coming from the left.
A few so-called conservatives are racist.
Do you think it is Ok when a left wing nut calls all conservatives racist based on a few cases?
It is the same thing you just did.
I’m a female who has NO-absolutely NO- pity for abusive people. If any man did to me what Mel is accused of doing to his girlfriend, he would be in the morgue! That said-I think Gibson is his own worst enemy and is self-destructing. When you start out with some kind of religion and conscience, then go against it by abandoning your wife and family, I think the self-hatred takes over.
That being said, I can separate the man from the art. Gibson is still one of the most beautiful men to ever be on screen, he’s an awesome director and his talent cannot be denied. It can be trashed-by him- but not denied.
I just wonder how many stars would want their personal conversations recorded? How many would we think differently of if we heard their private lives? Most, I would wager.
If this were the 50’s, and we could hear the violent, drunken rages of Richard Burton and Liz Taylor, would their careers have been destroyed? Did Hollywood turn on Burton- a known violent drunk womanizer? No- and there was much more ‘morality’ back then. How about Errol Flynn- what a rep he had!
I’m not saying give Mel a pass, or that he is an ok guy( I think he needs serious help), but I do think his art should be just as separated from his life as Polanski’s or Burton’s or some of the absolute thugs and criminals who are ‘stars’ these days.
I can choose to buy Gibson’s ‘product’ without liking him as a human. The same way I can buy a car, or a house, or groceries without approving the personal life of the salesperson.
And this made up fact just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
I agree. DiCaprio is way too wimpy and his absence would only improve the film. I figure he is afraid of Mel.
You should see ME!!! (But you won’t - LOL!!!)
You actually are on the gold digger's side??? Who entrapped the drunken Mel over the phone with leading questions? Who pushed all his buttons to get outrageous statements out of him and had the tape rolling all the time?
And Mel did not so much abandon his wife as wanted to make beautiful music with a woman who could bring him more children. His wife Robin gave him seven children and that's great but as a virile alpha male he wanted more. Women like to tame men to exclusivity but some men have an imperative to make more babies after wife number one can no longer do so. I have a feeling Robin understands this. Does not like it but she gets what the deal is with Mel
MY EYES! OY!
Everyone knows if you want a believable Viking there’s only one man for the role......
TED NUGENT
I know it is fun to hate on people based on their political beliefs but DiCaprio hasn’t had too many bad roles. Gibson however is a racist wife beating scum who deserves any chastisement he gets.
As what?!? "The littlest Viking"?
He did Mel a favor. Mel should hire that tall think blonde guy from TrueBlood who plays the viking vampire. I'd rather watch him, he'd be believable, as opposed to "Stumpy the viking".
Gibson makes excellent movies. I'd pay to see his work any day.
I liked Bogie, Grant and all of the great talents... but did you ever see the scene where Cary Grant knocks Kathryn Hepburn on her arse... SMACK... right in the open front door of a home? Rumor has it that Bogart and Lauren Bacall had a few knock down drag outs... and Bogie lost.
Men are flawed... redemption is there for all that truly want it.
LLS
Good. Since he will not be in it, then I will see it. I don’t watch anything that jerk is in.
“I know it is fun to hate on people based on their political beliefs...”
Pretty much told me everything that I need to know about you and your opinion.
Happy trolling!
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