Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in Esquire Summer 2019 Issue
Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio Recall Being Starstruck by Luke Perry: "We Were Like Kids"
![On what attracted Leo to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: "Well, first off, the chance to work with Mr. Tarantino. And certainly this time period was fascinating. It was this homage to Hollywood. I don't think there's been a Hollywood film like this — and by that I mean a film set in Hollywood and about Hollywood — which gets its nails dirty, getting into the everyday life of an actor and his stunt double. 1969 is a seminal time in cinema history, as well as in the world. Rick and Cliff [Leo and Brad's characters, respectively], they're part of the old guard in Hollywood, but they're also trying to navigate this new world of the hippie revolution and free love. I loved the idea of taking on this struggling actor who is trying to find his footing in this new world. And his pal who he's been with through all these wars in Hollywood."
On how Leo still appreciates the struggle of finding your way in the industry: "My attitude is the same as when I started. When I talk to these two guys [Brad and Quentin], it's like, we know we were given that one shot and we do not want to disrespect that opportunity, which is why we're just trying the damn best we can to make the best things we can. Because we understand that it is fleeting. Tastes change; culture changes. And I feel very blessed to have gotten that ticket to be able to do movies. So I feel very connected to that 15-year-old kid who got his first movie, and that hasn't changed."](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/QPYkfs1DJbr8HrKpZAyyNmiWoMg/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2019/05/21/817/n/1922398/0b6b633c36db1885_Esquire_Summer_3/i/what-attracted-Leo-Once-Upon-Time-Hollywood-Well-first.jpg "On what attracted Leo to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: \"Well, first off, the chance to work with Mr. Tarantino. And certainly this time period was fascinating. It was this homage to Hollywood. I don't think there's been a Hollywood film like this — and by that I mean a film set in Hollywood and about Hollywood — which gets its nails dirty, getting into the everyday life of an actor and his stunt double. 1969 is a seminal time in cinema history, as well as in the world. Rick and Cliff [Leo and Brad's characters, respectively], they're part of the old guard in Hollywood, but they're also trying to navigate this new world of the hippie revolution and free love. I loved the idea of taking on this struggling actor who is trying to find his footing in this new world. And his pal who he's been with through all these wars in Hollywood.\"
On how Leo still appreciates the struggle of finding your way in the industry: \"My attitude is the same as when I started. When I talk to these two guys [Brad and Quentin], it's like, we know we were given that one shot and we do not want to disrespect that opportunity, which is why we're just trying the damn best we can to make the best things we can. Because we understand that it is fleeting. Tastes change; culture changes. And I feel very blessed to have gotten that ticket to be able to do movies. So I feel very connected to that 15-year-old kid who got his first movie, and that hasn't changed.\"")
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