Leonardo DiCaprio made it clear that directing a movie isn’t on his radar.
Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has said he has no plans to pursue film direction, citing his admiration for legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese and admitting he does not believe he could ever match the veteran director’s cinematic brilliance, according to People.
Leonardo DiCaprio explains why he has no plans to be a director
DiCaprio, 51, opened up about being frequently asked if he plans to direct films, and his answer is a clear no. He told the audience he could never match what Martin Scorsese does and has no desire to try, stressing his admiration for the legendary filmmaker.
“Some people have asked me if I wanted to direct. I’m like, ‘I would never want to direct. I could never do anything close to what Martin Scorsese does. Why would I do that?’ “ DiCaprio, 51, explained.
Leonardo DiCaprio on directing: "I could never do anything close to what Martin Scorsese does, why would I do that?" pic.twitter.com/9hKcY2lutA
— Leonardo DiCaprio Fan (@dicapriofans) December 11, 2025
Looking back on his career, DiCaprio admitted he sometimes wished he had observed more of the filmmaking process. He explained that while he dives deep into his characters, he would have loved to be more of a “voyeur,” watching a master like Scorsese at work behind the camera.
“You play these characters, you try to get into the depth of their soul as much as you possibly can. And I would’ve loved to be much more of a voyeur … to watch what you (Scorsese) do behind the camera,” he said.
“If I look back on anything, I would’ve loved to have observed that process behind the camera a lot more,’ he added.
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The Oscar winner — who has made six films with Scorsese, 83, to date — went on to describe their unique creative process, noting that they have “months” of prep and discussion before shooting begins.
“That’s been our process a lot, I think, working together … the ability to almost have a debate for months before and lots of questions, and lots of playing devil’s advocate about a way to approach things that may not be the most obvious direction,” he said.
He added, “We’re doing that on the new film that we’re doing now, but it’s been absolutely one of the most profound learning experiences.”
DiCaprio also noted that working with Scorsese has been one the “proudest moments” of his life.
“I grew up watching movies very young — wanting to be an actor,” he said. “My father brought me to see Marty’s work, along with Mr. [Robert] De Niro’s, and said, ‘If there’s anyone you want to strive to work with in your career, now that you have the capability of doing movies, it’s with this gentleman.’ So I got to see Marty’s work very, very early on.”
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DiCaprio and Scorsese first worked together on 2002’s Gangs of New York. Since then they have collaborated on films like The Aviator, The Departed and Killers of the Flower Moon.
The pair’s seventh movie, What Happens at Night, is currently underway. DiCaprio will star opposite Jennifer Lawrence for an adaptation of the Peter Cameron novel.