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What Harold Perrineau Really Thought Of Leonardo DiCaprio On The Set of Romeo And Juliet?

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There were a few casting shake-ups while making Baz Luhrmann's 1996 adaptation of William Shakespeare's iconic play. But it used to be some distance from Leonardo DiCaprio's most traumatic film experience. It used to be also about a year prior to DiCaprio turned into a mega-star because of the free up of Titanic. But DiCaprio was still quite famous due to a number of projects early in his career. So, it would not be at all sudden if he, like other younger stars, brought about some difficulties on the set of Romeo + Juliet.

But consistent with an interview his co-star Harold Perrineau did with Vulture, this wasn't the case. Perrineau, who'd later be easiest known for his role in The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and Lost, spoke very highly of DiCaprio, with whom he shared maximum of his scenes. Of route, Perrineau played the ill-fated Mercutio, and subsequently most effective seemed in the tale for a little while. But throughout that time, he struck up a connection with DiCaprio...

What Was Harold Perrineau's First Impression Of Leonardo DiCaprio?

Harold Perrineau was once 33 when he first met Leonardo DiCaprio, who is ten years his junior.

"I remember meeting this young, goofy kid," Harold Perrineau admitted right through his excellent interview with Vulture about Romeo + Juliet. "I knew he was a movie star, or was on his way to being a movie star. He certainly wasn’t the movie star he’s become, but he’d already been nominated for an Oscar for Gilbert Grape. I remember meeting this young kid and going, 'Okay! He’s cool'"

But Perrineau's affect of DiCaprio altered when the two got to work in combination.

"When we got there and started doing the work, it was really apparent, like, 'Oh, this kid’s got it. He’s for real. He can do anything. Just anything.' I was really impressed by him because I was trying so hard to do it 'right.' And he would just let it happen."

Related: How Harold Perrineau Was Cast In Leonardo DiCaprio And Claire Danes's Cult-Classic, Romeo And Juliet

Perrineau went on to say that he realized to be a little bit freer on set due to how DiCaprio labored.

"I kind of learned from him that you can just let it happen. You’ve done all the preparation, you’ve done all the work, now just let it happen. Leo could turn it on and off at the drop of a dime. He’d be goofing off and be like, 'Are you guys ready?' And I’d be like, 'Wait, I gotta prepare!' This kid was ready to go all the time."

Was Harold Perrineau Attracted To Leonardo DiCaprio?

During an old interview with Screen Slam, Harold Perrineau admitted that he used to be like all the other "twelve-year-old- girls" being "attracted" to Leonardo DiCaprio. This was bookended by means of some reasonably sort compliments about DiCaprio's work ethic and ability.

In Perrineau's far more contemporary interview with Vulture, he used to be requested to explain those feedback.

"Well, he’s a good-looking kid. We can’t deny that, can we? He’s a good-looking dude. If that were my predilection … I couldn’t say no, right?" Perrineau admitted.

  • Harold Perrineau has been married to Brittany Robinson since 2002.
  • Harold Perrineau has three children with Brittany Robinson.

Are Leonardo DiCaprio And Harold Perrineau Friends?

During his interview with Vulture, Hardol Perrineau claimed that the entire cast of Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet.

"We were in Mexico, and we kind of only had each other. None of us really spoke the language. They were a little younger than me, so they were really having a wilder time than I was. But I liked hanging out with them," Harold Perrineau admitted all over his interview with Vulture.

Related: Did Leonardo DiCaprio And Claire Danes Fall In Love Filming 'Romeo + Juliet'?

"We were just having a wild, crazy time in Mexico, and I think it translated into the film. Mexico City, at the time, there was a lot happening. I think a lot of that wild energy really worked in the film.

As for what that "wild power" actually entailed off of the set, Harold Perrineau told Vulture that it involved a lot of "partying and drinking and clubs and late nights and working thru accommodations, being just rockstar-kinda loopy."

"There was so much of that. A lot of ladies. It used to be wild. I don’t know what to say here… There used to be a lot going on," Perrineau explained to Vulture. "We needed to be really cautious. Leo had a bodyguard. Like I mentioned, he was once already a star, so we’d move puts and it might get frenetic. There are other folks like, 'Oh my God, he’s right here!' That type of frenetic power ended in quite a bit of … excited girls, jealous boys, in a the city where the rest can occur."

Related: Before Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio Appeared In A Film That Made Less Than $500,000 At The Box Office

"And all of us stayed really just right pals for years and years and years. [Leonardo DiCaprio] in fact even helped my youngsters get into a faculty."

Perrineau went on to explain that DiCaprio did "considerably more than put in a good phrase".

"I don’t want to blow up his spot; he didn’t do it with any fanfare. But he gave quite a substantial donation to the college. Pretty spectacular, I gotta be fair," the Lost actor admitted to Vulture.

As for whether he and Leonardo DiCaprio are still friends today, Perrineau claimed that they're extremely friendly whenever they bump into each other. However, they don't really stay in touch.

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Update: 2024-04-23