The "Greatest Performance" Debate: Why Jennifer Lawrence is Forcing Leo DiCaprio to Finally Watch Titanic

While discussing his acclaimed performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2025 thriller One Battle After Another, the conversation turned toward the project that nearly prevented him from taking his role in the 1997 classic: Boogie Nights.

When Lawrence asked if he had ever revisited the $2.2 billion masterpiece that eventually won the "battle" for his time, DiCaprio was blunt:

"No. I haven’t seen it before."

A shocked Lawrence, 35, immediately pushed back: "Oh, you should. I bet you could watch it now, it's so good."

The "Why" Behind the Skip

DiCaprio explained that his refusal to watch Titanic isn't about the film itself, but a career-long habit. "I don’t really watch my films," he told Lawrence. He admitted that he prefers to leave the characters behind once production wraps, citing an "adjustment period" he needed after the 1997 "Leo-mania" explosion to get back to his original intentions as an actor.

Jennifer Lawrence’s Hilarious Rebuttal:

Lawrence admitted she also avoids her work, with one blurry exception. She joked that she’s never made anything on the scale of Titanic, but shared a story that has already become a meme:

"Once I was really drunk, I put on American Hustle. I was like, 'I wonder if I'm good at acting?' I put it on, and I don't remember what the answer is."

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Key Takeaways from the 2025 Interview

Topic	The Reveal
The "White Whale"	Leo revealed he passed on Boogie Nights because of Titanic production overlaps.
The Exception	He admitted The Aviator is one of the few films he has rewatched, as it was his first true "collaboration" with Scorsese.
The Future	DiCaprio confirmed he will never direct, stating he could never match the expertise of Martin Scorsese.
New Project	The duo confirmed they are reuniting for a ghost story directed by Scorsese titled What Happens at Night.

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The "One Battle After Another" Buzz

The interview wasn't just about nostalgia. Lawrence showered praise on DiCaprio’s latest film, calling his performance in One Battle After Another (the Thomas Pynchon adaptation) the "greatest performance I've ever seen in my life." The film currently holds a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and has positioned DiCaprio as the frontrunner for the 2026 awards season. Lawrence mentioned she and her husband, Cooke Maroney, had to book tickets two weeks in advance to see it in a packed theater.

Advice for Working with Scorsese

With the two set to star in What Happens at Night (a snowy European ghost story), Lawrence asked Leo for one piece of "essential" advice for working with the legendary Martin Scorsese.

Leo’s tip was surprisingly technical: "He’s going to give you a lot of film references... they usually come in the form of a DVD. If you don’t have a DVD player, get one." Lawrence’s response? "Oh my God. I'm going to kill myself."

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Did Leo actually say he's NEVER seen the full Titanic?

A: In the Variety interview, he said, "I haven't seen it before," implying he hasn't sat down to watch the finished product in its entirety since its release nearly 30 years ago.

Q: Are Leo and J-Law making another movie together?

A: Yes! After the success of Don't Look Up, they have signed on for What Happens at Night, directed by Martin Scorsese. It is an adaptation of the Peter Cameron novel.

Q: What is DiCaprio's new movie about?

A: One Battle After Another is a 2025 thriller directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. It is based on the novel Vineland and features Leo as a revolutionary struggling with the modern world.

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The Verdict: The King of Not Looking Back

While fans may find it "appalling" (as Kate Winslet might jokingly say) that Jack Dawson hasn't watched his own tragedy, the interview proves that DiCaprio’s focus remains firmly on the future. Between his "white whale" directors and his refusal to watch himself on screen, Leo remains Hollywood's most enigmatic—and humble—superstar.