|
USA Today - October 31, 2002
Dueling DiCaprios By Andy Seiler
The King of the World could rule once again this winter. Leonardo DiCaprio hasn't reigned since
1997, when Titanic triumphed and became the biggest movie to come ashore in years. But the
heartthrob stars in two big-budget, high-profile movies in December, Gangs of New York and Catch
Me if You Can, that will put him back on magazine covers and talk-show couches. By January, he will
be everywhere.
And his career could use the boost.
"After he broke into the scene as a huge superstar, he has not been able to follow up that
success," says Jeannette Walls, MSNBC.com gossip columnist. DiCaprio's last movie, the
disappointing The Beach, was two years ago.
But if the new movies are hits, he'll be bigger than ever. Ironically, there are striking parallels
between the films:
Adored director Martin Scorsese shot the historical crime drama Gangs, out Dec. 20. The cast
includes big star Cameron Diaz.
Adored director Steven Spielberg shot the true story Catch, out Dec. 25. The cast includes big
star Tom Hanks.
The films come from rival maverick studios Miramax (Gangs) and DreamWorks (Catch), which have
battled repeatedly for the best-picture Oscar. (In 1999, Miramax's Shakespeare in Love beat out
DreamWorks' Saving Private Ryan.) At one point, the studios planned to release their DiCaprio
movies on the same day; Miramax finally blinked.
But there also are big differences. Gangs has attracted loads of ink because its release was
postponed twice. (Problems on the set and arguments in the editing room were reported.) Catch,
however, has had little hype of any type.
Insiders agree that the PG-13-rated Catch has a much better chance of becoming a blockbuster than
the R-rated Gangs, but both are plausible Oscar candidates.
"Catch Me will likely blast beyond $200 million," says John Shaw, president of box office tracking
firm Movieline International, who has seen about a half-hour of it. He calls Gangs "highly
anticipated."
Studio representatives insist Gangs and Catch will not dilute each other's business.
"The Leo publicity works to our advantage, because he can talk about both films," says Diana
Loomis, head of publicity for DreamWorks.
"This showcases how versatile he is," Miramax publicity chief Amanda Lundberg says. "It's
exciting."
So intent are the studios on demonstrating their cooperative spirit that Loomis and Lundberg made
these remarks in a joint phone conversation.
But make no mistake — this is a competition. "There is a limited number of dollars to be had at
the box office," Walls says, "and a limited number of statues to be handed out at the Oscars."
Thanks to Pax and Shaolin ! ***
|