Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the greatest actors of our generation. But in his upcoming movieDon’t Look Up, DiCaprio also demonstrated his writing chops.Don’t Look Upfeatures a scene that involves DiCaprio’s character, Dr. Randall Mindy, having a breakdown on national television. Apparently, theShutter Islandactor pushed to have that scene before he joined Netflix’sDon’t Look Up,and it ended up being a major highlight of the film.
In a new profile forVanity Fair,Don’t Look Updirector, Adam McKay revealed that DiCaprio asked him to include a speech similar to Peter Finch’s “I’m as mad as hell” scene from 1976’sNetwork. McKay was skeptical at first, worrying that a serious speech wouldn’t fit well on his satirical tone. “Speeches are tricky, man, It’s like drum solos. They were awesome in the ’70s but…,” McKay told DiCaprio. But the director came around after being impressed by DiCaprio’s suggestion to undermine it for laughs. The pair ended up rewriting the scene 15 times, but it ended up paying dividends. “I think it’s the biggest laugh in the movie when I test screened it,” McKay said.
Leonardo DiCapriois known for improvising scenes and going to extreme lengths to deliver what the director asks. He stayed in character even with a sliced hand after he slammed it onto a glass while filming the dinner table scene inDjango Unchained. DiCaprio also added a subplot in Quentin Tarantino’sOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood,which ended up with him having ameltdown in his trailer. After all, it wouldn’t be a Leonardo DiCaprio movie without him screaming his lungs out; and he’s done it again inDon’t Look Up.
While the early reactions toDon’t Look Upare mostly positive, DiCaprio’s performance has received overwhelming acclaim. With this late entry, DiCaprio may have sealed his spot in this year’s Oscar race.
Don’t Look Upis written and directed by Adam McKay (The Big Short, Anchorman, Step Brothers). The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio andJennifer Lawrenceas two low-level astronomers who go on a media tour to warn mankind about an incoming comet that will decimate the planet.Don’t Look Upfeatures a star-studded cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Timothée Chalamet, Jonah Hill, Melanie Lynskey, Ariana Grande, Matthew Perry, Chris Evans, Tyler Perry, Melanie Lynskey, Rob Morgan, Mark Rylance, Michael Chiklis, Kid Cudi, Gina Gershon, and Ron Perlman.
Known for his slapstickcomedies with Will Ferrell, Adam McKay has now turned his eye towards dark comedies with a social message. He dealt with the 2008 financial crisis inThe Big Short,winning the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. ForDon’t Look Up, McKay’s inspiration came from the issues of misinformation, fear-mongering, climate change, and politics. The COVID-19 pandemic and the world’s reaction to it further fueled his fire to deliver a hard-hitting satire.
Judging by the initial reactions, it’s clear thatDon’t Look Upis a good movie. But how good, we’ll soon know when it opens in select theaters on August 21, 2025.Don’t Look Upwill premiere onNetflixon December 24. Don’t forget to check it out.
