Leonardo DiCaprio’s Unusual Advice for Jennifer Lawrence Before Scorsese Collaboration

Leonardo DiCaprio recently offered Jennifer Lawrence some rather practical advice as she prepares to work with Martin Scorsese for the first time. Drawing on years of experience with the acclaimed director, DiCaprio shared his insights during a conversation for Variety’s Actors on Actors series. He described what Lawrence might expect from the 83-year-old filmmaker, whose methods are as distinctive as his reputation suggests.

Scorsese’s Cinematic Language and Unconventional Methods

As Lawrence readies herself for her debut collaboration with Scorsese on What Happens at Night, DiCaprio explained that the director communicates through a rich tapestry of film history. He is known for providing actors with DVDs brimming with references and even arranging private screenings to highlight a particular scene or the rhythm of a sequence.

“He’s going to give you a lot of film references,”

DiCaprio remarked, noting that these often arrive

“in the form of a DVD.”

“And if you don’t have a DVD player, get one…. He’ll have screenings sometimes for just one sequence in a film. If there’s something that he wants you to capture from an old film or the pacing of something, you might have a screening of a whole film just for a specific scene that he wants to see. We might see some Japanese ghost films for reference, just to get the tone of it. You’re going to have an amazing time.”

Reflecting on Past Work and New Ventures

The discussion also touched on Titanic, as well as upcoming projects such as One Battle After Another and Die, My Love. DiCaprio emphasised that working with Scorsese requires patience, curiosity, and a willingness to trust the process. For Lawrence, this was a primer; for DiCaprio, it was second nature.

Lawrence praised DiCaprio’s performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, calling it

“the greatest performance I’ve ever seen,”

though DiCaprio responded with characteristic modesty. Their conversation ranged from the roots of counterculture to the realities of parenthood, creative routines, and the subtlety of comedic acting. When Lawrence inquired whether DiCaprio had revisited Titanic, he replied simply,

“No. I haven’t seen it in forever.”

Adapting Literature and Embracing Creative Risks

The pair also discussed Die, My Love, with DiCaprio observing that the film reminded him of A Woman Under the Influence. Lawrence revealed that Scorsese had read Ariana Harwicz’s novel in his book club and encouraged her to adapt it, saying,

“You should make this into a film and star in it.”

Initially, Lawrence struggled to see how the book could be translated for the screen, but she eventually realised it required a poetic approach, particularly under the direction of Lynne Ramsay. Their exchange made it clear that both actors are now seeking out projects that prioritise challenge over comfort.

New Partnership Under Scorsese’s Direction

While DiCaprio’s advice about DVD players may have caught attention, the real headline is the forthcoming partnership between DiCaprio and Lawrence under Scorsese’s guidance in What Happens at Night, an adaptation of Peter Cameron’s unsettling novel.

Backed by Apple Original Films and StudioCanal, production is set to commence soon. The story follows a married couple travelling through Europe to adopt a child, only to encounter a series of peculiar characters at a hotel, testing their trust and sense of self.

Audiences can expect a distinctive collaboration, with both stars stepping into new territory under the watchful eye of one of cinema’s most revered directors.