Leonardo DiCaprio, soon to star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another, opened up during a rare interview with the director about his feelings on reaching the milestone age of 50. Despite his chronological age, DiCaprio expressed that his emotional age feels much younger, highlighting a personal reflection on maturity and life experience.
Exploring the Contrast Between Chronological and Emotional Age
During the conversation with Paul Thomas Anderson for Esquire, the actor was prompted to consider whether turning 50 felt like a natural moment for contemplation. DiCaprio replied by suggesting that although his actual age is 50, emotionally he feels more like 35. Anderson added that DiCaprio’s “emotional maturity is 32,” a sentiment the actor quickly embraced.
Adapting to New Roles and Stages in His Career
Reaching 50 marks a significant transition for DiCaprio in both his life and career. Having evolved from a youthful romantic lead to a commanding figure portraying aging legends and complex characters such as struggling fathers and influential historical figures, this age brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. His future projects, including One Battle After Another, reflect this shift.
Rapid Response on Age Reveals His Inner Youthfulness
When Anderson asked DiCaprio to quickly guess his age without knowing it, the actor promptly answered “Thirty-two,” reaffirming his perception of feeling much younger emotionally despite his advancing years.
Honest Reflections on Life, Relationships, and Time
DiCaprio elaborated on how turning 50 has altered his approach to life and relationships, emphasizing sincerity and a growing reluctance to waste time. He compared his mindset to that of his mother, who speaks candidly and avoids pretense. This sense of urgency encourages more openness, even if it risks conflict or separation, whether in personal or professional relationships.
It creates a feeling like you have a desire to just be more honest and not waste your time. I can only imagine how the next few decades are going to progress. I look at my mother, for example, and she just says exactly what she thinks and wastes no time. She spends no time trying to fake it,
DiCaprio said.
Being more upfront and risking having things fall apart or risk the disagreements or risk going your separate ways from any type of relationship in life — the personal, professional — it’s that you just don’t want to waste your time anymore. You have to just be much more upfront. It’s almost a responsibility because much more of your life is behind you than it is ahead of you.
—Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor
Reflecting on Collaborations and Career Regrets
The discussion also touched on DiCaprio’s career and his long-standing wish to work with Paul Thomas Anderson. DiCaprio admitted one of his biggest regrets was not appearing in Anderson’s film Boogie Nights, which he now regards as a masterpiece representing their generation. Although he declined the role to star as Jack in Titanic, this interview marks the reunion of the two artists nearly three decades later.
I’ll say it even though you’re here: My biggest regret is not doing ‘Boogie Nights,’
DiCaprio said.
It was a profound movie of my generation. I can’t imagine anyone but Mark [Wahlberg] in it. When I finally got to see that movie, I just thought it was a masterpiece. It’s ironic that you’re the person asking that question, but it’s true.
—Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor
The Long-Awaited Collaboration on One Battle After Another
The project One Battle After Another represents DiCaprio’s first collaboration with Anderson and carries personal significance for both. DiCaprio described the film’s narrative about a washed-up revolutionary who tries to escape his past and raise his daughter as a compelling and relevant story in today’s world. The actor emphasized how his desire to work with Anderson for approximately 20 years was a major motivation behind choosing this film.
I know ‘One Battle After Another’ has been on your desk for a long time,
DiCaprio said.
It was a personal story for you in a lot of ways and certainly pertinent to the world that we’re living in right now. But ultimately, wanting to do this movie was pretty simple: I’ve been wanting to work with you — Paul — for something like 20 years now, and I loved this idea of the washed-up revolutionary trying to erase his past and disappear and try and live some sort of normal life raising his daughter.
—Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor
It’s a nice character, someone who starts out wanting to change the world on the far left but gets increasingly cranky and closed off as he gets older,
Anderson said. —Paul Thomas Anderson, Director
Looking Ahead to New Chapters in Life and Film
This candid conversation reveals DiCaprio’s thoughtful approach to aging and how his emotional perspective shapes both his personal life and artistic choices. As he embraces more mature roles and deeper honesty, his collaboration with Anderson on One Battle After Another marks an important new chapter. Fans can expect a nuanced examination of complex characters, reflecting not only the actor’s evolution but also timely social themes relevant to today’s audiences.
