How a Magazine Photo Made Leonardo DiCaprio the Ultimate Romeo

Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann spoke at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) about his career while promoting his documentary, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. During his visit to Entertainment Weekly‘s TIFF studio in 2025, Luhrmann reminisced about his 1996 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, highlighting how a single magazine photo shaped Leonardo DiCaprio’s iconic portrayal of Romeo.

Though Luhrmann’s version wasn’t the first to modernize a Shakespeare play, nor DiCaprio’s debut role, it marked the first time the actor was presented in a meticulously stylized, contemporary image. Luhrmann recalled that as he prepared to produce the film, he wrestled with how to visualize Romeo. He shared,

“Oh, how am I going to make this? And then I saw a picture of what I thought was a model or something. It might have been in PEOPLE magazine or something.”

The photo captivated him, and when he learned the striking figure was an actor, Luhrmann said,

“That’s how Romeo should look. And someone said to me, ‘Oh, he’s actually an actor.’”

This realization steered his vision for the film and its lead.

The Early Days: Developing the Role and DiCaprio’s Commitment

At the time, DiCaprio had just earned his first Academy Award nomination for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, directed by Lasse Hallström. Luhrmann believes this was when he first encountered that influential image and adds he may still own that magazine issue. When they began collaborating, Luhrmann described the process:

“[We] workshop the idea, because [DiCaprio] wasn’t really sure,”

and DiCaprio approached the project with enthusiasm and dedication. The actor exchanged business class tickets to travel with friends, rehearsing scenes together. Luhrmann noted,

“We have, today, still the videos of him and his friends doing the scenes. The rest is history really.”

Luhrmann emphasized his certainty about DiCaprio’s casting, stating,

“I mean, there was only Leonardo. I never actually auditioned any other person.”

This confidence underscored the director’s faith in DiCaprio’s unique presence.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Unique Blend of Star Power and Acting Talent

Luhrmann praised DiCaprio’s rare combination of qualities, setting him apart from many actors in Hollywood. He explained,

“Leo has a wonderful, quite unique quality of being both a tremendous actor and a star. Some people are stars and some people are great character actors, but he’s both. He’s a character actor who has star quality. He illuminates the screen.”

This dual talent helped DiCaprio bring Shakespeare’s timeless character to life with both authenticity and magnetic appeal, creating a fresh yet faithful interpretation.

The Enduring Appeal of Shakespeare’s Work and Romeo + Juliet’s Impact

Luhrmann also shared admiration for William Shakespeare’s storytelling, observing that the playwright’s characters feel familiar and accessible across centuries. He noted,

“It doesn’t matter what he touches, you know those people. They’re not aliens to you,”

highlighting the timelessness of Shakespeare’s creations.

Romeo + Juliet paired DiCaprio with Claire Danes and became a box office success, marking Luhrmann’s Hollywood breakout and paving the way for later works including Moulin Rouge! and a reunion with DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby. The film’s stylish approach to Shakespeare’s tragedy introduced a new generation to the classic story, with DiCaprio’s Romeo remaining a defining role in his career.

As audiences continue to revisit the film, its blend of visual innovation and powerful performances ensures its lasting influence on both contemporary cinema and portrayals of Shakespeare’s timeless characters.