There are only a few movies worldwide that manage to attain cult status and become a significant part of the social consciousness. Martin Scorsese is a filmmaker with multiple films that fit this definition, but none come close to the pedestal on which his boldest film to date sits. We are indeed talking about his 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, a movie with a very wide fanbase. Adapted from a book, the film gave everyone involved in its making a new lease on life. Leonardo DiCaprio became associated with a new kind of cinema, Margot Robbie found a fanbase eager to follow her career, and Scorsese became an even more sought-after filmmaker. 

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio At War

But what if we told you that before this dream team got together, after waiting for almost half a decade post-winning the rights to the book, there was another actor who was keen on making this film and even playing Jordan Belfort, the leading man? Yes, you read that right. The star we are talking about is none other than Brad Pitt. Indeed, much before the movie was even in production, there was a battle between Brad and Leo, and the latter won. Read on to learn more about this intriguing piece of trivia.

Jordan Belfort wrote his memoir in 2007. The book was an instant hit, and nearly every filmmaker wanted to adapt it into a feature film with a major star at the center. It did not come as a surprise that there were big bidders for the rights to the book. This bidding war saw Brad Pitt’s production company and Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company both trying to secure the rights. In the end, Leonardo managed to win and secured the rights to The Wolf of Wall Street.

However, according to reports circulating on the internet, at one point there were claims that Brad Pitt was planning to make the adaptation of The Wolf of Wall Street with filmmaker Ridley Scott, where he was going to play Jordan Belfort. There are no further details on this potential project.

The Future

As for Leonardo DiCaprio, even after securing the rights to the film, the Titanic star struggled to make the adaptation for years before he finally found Red Granite Pictures, who provided the funding and creative liberty with Martin Scorsese on board. The rest, as they say, is history. The R-rated nature of the movie certainly brought more attention to it, but it is DiCaprio’s performance as Belfort that remains unparalleled to this day.

The Wolf of Wall Street streams on Lionsgate Play, and you can watch it with your OTTplay Premium subscription. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Read Also: copshop ending explained - here's what happens in the end of gerard butler and frank grillo starrer