Leonardo DiCaprio’s breakthrough role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape marked a pivotal change in his career, but a recent claim by Corey Feldman suggests the casting could have turned out very differently. Appearing on Billy Corgan’s podcast, Feldman alleged that he originally landed the role of Arnie, only to be replaced after Johnny Depp intervened during the film’s pre-production in the early 1990s.
DiCaprio’s Early Hollywood Journey and the Making of Gilbert Grape
Leonardo DiCaprio, who would later be celebrated for commanding performances in films like The Departed and The Revenant, was just establishing himself in Hollywood when What’s Eating Gilbert Grape began casting. Released in 1993 and adapted from Peter Hedges’ novel, the film follows Gilbert, a young man burdened by family responsibilities in a small Iowa town. Alongside Johnny Depp in the lead role, the ensemble cast featured big names like Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, and Laura Harrington, with DiCaprio taking on the challenging portrayal of Arnie, Gilbert’s younger brother with developmental disabilities.
At the time, coming-of-age dramas like this often delivered powerful emotional stories. For DiCaprio, the role of Arnie required intensive preparation, including observing the behaviors of autistic children and teenagers with mental illness. His effort resulted in a performance that drew widespread critical acclaim and earned him nominations for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe, cementing his reputation as a formidable young talent in the film industry.
Corey Feldman’s Account of Losing the Role
Corey Feldman, a well-known figure from the 1980s with credits in films such as The Goonies and Stand By Me, spoke candidly on Billy Corgan’s podcast Magnificent Others, revealing how he felt wronged by the events surrounding the casting of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Feldman asserted that he had originally been cast as Arnie but was dismissed due to actions taken by Johnny Depp, who played the lead, Gilbert.
“I was actually cast to play Leonardo DiCaprio’s role. I never saw the film because I’m still bitter. Bitter leaf in that one. But yes, I was originally cast for that role.”
-Corey Feldman, Actor
Feldman went on to elaborate, describing Depp’s alleged involvement in his removal from the cast. According to Feldman, Depp communicated concerns directly to the producers about Feldman’s past substance use, despite his then-recent sobriety:
“He was cast after I was, and apparently whispered into the producers’ ear that he wasn’t fond of me, and thought — he said that I was a junkie and that he didn’t work with junkies…I had just gotten sober. As you can imagine, there was a bit of a thorn in the side on that one. And, had I not been pushed out and done that role, who knows what would have happened from that point forward.”
-Corey Feldman, Actor
Alleged Further Disappointment for Feldman
Feldman continued in the interview, revealing another significant blow to his aspirations when he missed out on a second major role to DiCaprio:
“There was kind of a double banger with Leo.”
-Corey Feldman, Actor
This referred to Titanic, where Feldman said he was in consideration for the role of Jack Dawson, only to lose out once again to DiCaprio. Within just a few years, DiCaprio’s profile exploded thanks to headlining roles in Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, launching global “Leo-mania” and establishing him as one of Hollywood’s most prominent actors. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, in particular, was the project that allowed DiCaprio to showcase the depth and range he would become famous for.
Contrasting Career Paths for Feldman and DiCaprio
While DiCaprio’s career soared, with critics and audiences alike recognizing his remarkable versatility, Feldman’s professional arc diverged sharply. He largely appeared in lower-budget productions, direct-to-video releases, and genre films like Voodoo and The Zombie King. Feldman even ventured into reality television, starring alongside Corey Haim in The Two Coreys, while DiCaprio continued to solidify his status as an A-list star with roles across major films and collaborations with directors such as James Cameron and Martin Scorsese.
Feldman’s latest hopes for a career revival are tied to the newly announced sequel to The Goonies, with original cast members set to return. Meanwhile, DiCaprio continues to be viewed as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, bringing depth and commitment to each role he accepts.
The Enduring Legacy of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
The film that launched Leonardo DiCaprio into the spotlight remains a touchstone for coming-of-age dramas from the 1990s, not only for its compelling story but for the performances that brought its characters to life. The allegations made by Corey Feldman highlight the complex dynamics and heartbreak that can occur behind the scenes in Hollywood, where casting decisions have the power to alter career paths dramatically.
As DiCaprio’s breakthrough in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape continues to be celebrated, Feldman’s claims add another layer to the film’s lore, reminding audiences of the many untold stories beneath Hollywood’s shining surface. Whether these accounts will ever change public memory of the film remains unknown, but they certainly contribute to ongoing conversations about opportunity, rivalry, and reinvention in the film industry.
